MADISON - Mary Michaelina (DiCristina) Mason, age 91, of Madison, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side, early Saturday morning, Feb. 17, 2024, at The View Communities in Johnson Creek. She was born on April 29, 1932, in Madison, the daughter of John and Rose (Gambino) DiCristina, a first-generation Sicilian (Italian) American.

Mary grew up in Madison and graduated from Central High School in 1952. She was united in marriage to J. (Dan) Mason on Feb. 19, 1955, in Madison, Wis.

Mary worked for the Madison School District at Glendale Elementary central food service as a line worker, retiring in 1998. She was a member of the Italian American Workman’s Club and the CIAO Madison Italian Club; and the DeForest Red Hat Society.

Mary enjoyed gardening, raising house plants and vegetables, especially tomatoes, canning her own tomato sauce every year. A passionate recipe collector, she enjoyed cooking magazines, and subscription recipe publications. She was an avid Packers fan and enjoyed watching UW Men's hockey, football, and basketball. She loved to travel anywhere, spending her 50th wedding anniversary on a Mediterranean cruise, which included a visit to Palermo, Sicily, where her parents were born. Mary also enjoyed two family trips to Hawaii and a trip to Hong Kong with her daughter. She was a revered elder to Amy Kam, Shirley Leung Lee and Philip Leung.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Robert) Lueck; granddaughter, Monica Lueck; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Dan Mason; parents, John and Rose; sisters, Mamie Amato and Sara DiCristina; infant sister, Mary DiCristina; and infant brother, Joseph DiCristina.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. OLAF CATHOLIC CHURCH, 623 Jefferson St., DeForest, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, with Father Bala Kasipogu presiding. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Mary Mason

April 29, 1932 - February 17, 2024

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