Mrs. Helen Potter Mason

Helen P. Mason Age 103 of Sykesville Helen Potter Mason, 103 of Sykesville, died Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Fairhaven in Sykesville. Born July 3, 1906 in Oneonta, NY, she was the daughter of the late Samuel H. and Leila Tanner Potter and she was the wife of the late Bradford O. Mason originally of Roanoke, VA.. Helen was a graduate of the Oneonta High School, Oneonta, NY and The Katherine Gibbs Secreterial School in Boston, MA. She held several secreterial positions within the state of New York, including the Wilber National Bank in Oneonta, NY, the NY State Forestry Department in Binghamton, NY and she also was secretary to the president of the Oneonta State Normal School (now SUNY at Oneonta). Mr. and Mrs. Mason were married in Oneonta in 1934 where they lived until after Mr. Mason returned from serving in active duty in the US Army. While in the service, he participated in the Battle of the Bulge and completed his service in the European Theater during WWII. After the service, the Masons moved to West Davenport, NY although they later moved back to Oneonta. Mr. Mason was employed by The Oneonta Star Newspaper where he worked in the advertising department until his retirement. They then enjoyed their summers in upstate New York and their winters in Scottsdale, AZ until Mr. Mason's death in 1985. Helen was a member of the Oneonta Country Club where she played golf with her grandchildren until the age of 97. After reaching her octogenarian birthday, she also enjoyed playing golf with her grandchildren at the Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, NH. She was a lifetime member of The First Presbyterian Church, Oneonta, NY and the Oneonta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Oneonta Women's Club of which she served as director. Helen also was an active member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), the Oneonta Garden Club and the Hartwick College Citizen's Board. Surviving are daughter Nancy Mason Szlasa of Glenwood, and grandchildren Mark Mason Zimmerly of Canton, Robin Lynn Zimmerly Meidhof and her husband Jason of Bethesda, and Scott Mason Zimmerly of Canton. She was predeceased by siblings: Elsie E. Potter and Phillip E. Potter. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 10am at Fairhaven Chapel, 7200 Third Ave., Sykesville with Rev. Wayne Larson officiating. Interment will be held at Glenwood Cemetery in Oneonta, NY at a later date. Friends may call at the Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville on Monday, May 31, 2010 from 2-4 and 6-8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Clarksville Rotary Club, c/o P.O. Box 273, Glenwood, MD 21738 or contact Nszlasa@aol.com

Mrs. Helen Potter Mason

July 3, 1906 - May 23, 2010