Christine K. Mason passed away after a brief illness on February 28, 2024. She was born on April 17, 1948, in Pasadena, California, at St. Luke’s Community Hospital. She lived most of her life locally in Glendale, California, where she was active in the community. She attended grammar school at St. Elizabeth Parish School and later Alverno Heights Academy. In high school, she was active in student government and was elected student body president.
Upon graduating from high school, Chris accepted an invitation from her grandparents to live with them in Maryland. She went to Montgomery College in Takoma Park, where she received her AA degree. While in college, she entered a talent contest and won. She received several scholarships from this award. Chris entered the 1967 Miss Maryland contest and was first runner-up; she was voted by all the contestants as Miss Congeniality. It was at Montgomery College that she met Charles.
After a year of dating, Chris and Charles wed on December 26, 1968. In 1970, Chris suggested they take a vacation to California to show Charles where she grew up. While on vacation, Charles took one look at the beauty of California’s mountains and said they were moving. In the summer of 1970, they initially moved to Arcadia, where Chris took a job as a teller at Security Pacific Bank. She loved her job, and the customers loved her. She worked there until the next chapter of her life began: motherhood.
In January 1977, Chris became a proud mother to her son Brent. This event changed her life completely. She loved being a mother every minute. She retired from work and became a professional mom. Six years later in October, Thomas came into the family. Chris thanked God every day for her boys. She took pride in volunteering at Brent and Thomas’ schools and could often be found driving carloads of boys to various sporting events and activities. Chris felt her greatest challenge and success was raising Brent and Thomas. She was very proud of all their accomplishments.
Chris had a beautiful voice and was a soprano in St. Bede the Venerable Church choir, where she sang for over 20 years. She also gave the gift of her beautiful voice to family and friends at birthday celebrations, weddings, and funerals. Her lifelong Los Angeles Dodger fan dream came true as she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” from center field at Dodger Stadium in front of 45,000 raving fans and friends.
Chris’s faith in Christ has always been an important aspect of her life. At one point in her young life, she even considered becoming a nun. She was involved for many years in a women’s Bible study, “Joy of Living,” and taught CCD classes at church. She dedicated a great deal of her time and effort to her faith. Later in life, Chris devoted her time at Verdugo Hills Hospital, where she spent nearly 20 years as a volunteer.
Chris was a radiant beauty who loved volunteering, fashion, jewelry, shopping, socializing, See’s Candy and — above all else — her friends and family.
Chris is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Charles, and two sons, Brent and his wife Leah, and Thomas and his wife Jamie. One of Chris’s many blessings were her five grandchildren, Alexandra (14), Zachary (12), Samantha (9), Ryan (7), and Taylor (6). She cherished every minute they were together and loved being their “Bomma.” They will miss her loving and nurturing spirit. Chris is preceded in death by her mother, Libby Martin, her father, Corky Kirk, and her brother, Dean Kirk.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in South Pasadena on April 12 at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Chris can contribute to USC Verdugo Hills Hospital at giveto.usc.edu/health-verdugo-hills-hospital.
