Flora Mason

Flora Belle Mason (Matson), 82 of Bennington died Friday June 30th, 2017 at her home surrounded by her family. Born November 24, 1934 to Charles and Adah (Colvin) Matson. She was a graduate of Burr and Burton Seminary, attended St. Joseph and Goddard Colleges. On May 1, 1954 Flora married Louis J. Mason Sr. Flora became an advocate for the low income people of Bennington County starting in 1966 as an Assistant Teacher with Bennington County Head Start. Earlier on she was involved with the Vermont Poor People's Congress, Rainbow Coalition of VT and the Vermont Dental Clinic. Later she worked as an outreach worker for BROC. Flora served on numerous boards including BROC, Vermont Legal Aid, Bennington County Court Diversion, and for over 4 decades she served on the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council which she was an active member until recently. Flora enjoyed being with her family, camping, reading western books, writing her pen pals, going to tag sales and collecting anything related to the Native American Indian. Flora is survived by her son, Louis (Victoria) Mason Jr. of Montpelier, and five daughters Lee B Cross of Arlington, Patricia (Phil) Cummings II, Cindy (Bruce) Knapp, Sandra (Danny) Wirasnik, Kathy who was her caregiver (Rick) O'Dell all of Bennington. 10 grandchildren, Louis III, Amy, Frederic and Thomas Mason. Christopher Cross, Philip Cummings III, Noel Hilliard, Kelsey Bunting, Tori Therriault (caregiver), Richard O'Dell (caregiver). 20 great grandchildren, Louie, Levi, Gabriel, Gavin, Nikki, Tyler, Alexander, Aliza, Drake, Brett, Codie, Simon, Logan, Dylan, Tyler B, Corbin, Jacob, Brooke, Bailey, Taylor, and 1 great-great grandchild Charles. Nieces and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Louis Mason Sr., one brother Duane Matson, two sisters Sarah Towsley & Mary Roberts , two grandchildren Lucas and Stacey, one great grandchild Bronwen, and a son in law Edward. Funeral services for Flora will be held Saturday afternoon July 8, 2017 at 3pm at Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main Street Bennington, VT. Interment will follow in the family lot in White Chapel Cemetery. There are no visiting hours. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Flora's memory may be made to Bennington Project Independence, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201. Funeral services for Flora will be held Saturday afternoon July 8, 2017 at 3pm at Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home 213 West Main Street Bennington, VT. Interment will follow in the family lot in White Chapel Cemetery. There are no visiting hours.