Mason, Barbara Ann (Duncan)

Barbara's Legacy

Longtime resident Barbara Ann (Duncan) Mason passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at her home in Iowa City. A Memorial Service to celebrate Barbara's legacy will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at River Community Church in Iowa City, where the family will greet friends after 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Coralville.

Memorials may be directed to River Community Church.

Barbara was born Aug. 24, 1940, in Flagler, Colo., to Everett and Vyonda (Overmiller) Duncan. Barbara was the oldest of four girls. She started school at Pleasant Meadow Country School as the only first-grader that year. She could read at third grade level at the end of that school. She continued reading many books as well as her Bible over the years. When the rural schools consolidated in 1948, Barbara continued her education at Vona Public School in Eastern Colorado. She graduated from high school in 1958. Barbara attended Parks Business School in Denver.

Barbara met Bill Jabs in Denver. They were married in 1959. A daughter, Cheryl Ann, was born to that union on Oct. 18, 1960. Barbara and Bill were divorced. She later married Dan Mason on Jan. 28, 1966, in Stratton, Colo. Dan adopted Cheryl Ann after moving to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1967.

Barbara worked at True Value Hardware Store for many years as a cashier. She loved working and helping people. After the death of her husband, Dan, in 1989, she worked in the University of Iowa Hospital Cafeteria as a cashier. Barbara volunteered at the hospital as well, assisting folks and their families. She was rewarded with happy faces whenever she entered different hospital rooms. She enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life. She made many friends over the years and loved them as well as her home church family.

Barbara took several writing courses at the local college. She wrote several children's stories and poems over the years. One of the first children's stories that she wrote included Brian and Jessica. Barbara's grandchildren excelled at reading as she did and still do today. Her oldest great-grandson, Damien, loves reading as well. Little Jayden is learning also.

Barbara enjoyed needlework and later learned scrapbooking and greeting cards. She enjoyed making the cards after spending several years making photo albums for many family members. You certainly did not have to buy a card because if you asked for one card, you got a dozen. She was very creative when making the cards.

Barbara was a loving mother and grandmother to her daughter, Cheryl, grandchildren (Brian and Jessica), and great-grandsons (Damien and Jayden).

She enjoyed finding children's favorite toys for Damien and Jayden. She never missed a holiday and sometimes she created a “holiday” to just send those little guys something. She loved sharing pictures of her family.

Preceding Barbara in death were her parents, Everett and Vyonda Duncan; her loving husband, Dan; and sister, Marilyn Duncan.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Ann Thompson (Roy, Wash.); two grandchildren, Brian Edwin Thompson and Jessica Marie Thompson; and great-grandsons, Damien and Jayden Thompson (Jessica's sons) from Tacoma, Wash. She is also survived by two sisters, Virginia Carole Burns and Betty June Ralston, both of Stratton, Colo.; and many family members, including Dan's family.

Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published Feb. 3, 2013 in The Gazette