Lavon M. (nee Yeager) Mason

Lavon Mary Mason (neé Yeager) died peacefully at home in Seven Hills on 2/5/2022, just as she had been born peacefully at home in Cleveland on 2/16/1932, nearly 90 years earlier. She succumbed to a short illness and had family members at her side at her passing. She was born to Alvin John and Helen Lilian (neé Scheid) Yeager (both deceased), the second of five girls.

Lavon had a gentle heart and had close relationships with her sisters, which prepared her well for the raising of her three daughters, Susan (Joseph Candella, both deceased), Jennifer (David Healey), and Katherine (Eric Blackmore). As a youngster, she loved to climb trees on the family farm and her father called her a tomboy, an attribute that later helped her prepare to deal with her eight sons, Thomas (Ruth), Christopher (Nancy), William, Michael (Susan), Matthew (Mary Kay), Andrew (Heather), Paul (Sherri), and Gregory. As a young woman, she prayed for God to give her patience, and His wry response was to give her these 11 children. She became consummately patient by necessity.

When Lavon's children first learned to talk, their favorite word was "Why?". She would answer, and the kids would invariably again respond "Why?", repeatedly. Another patient answer would always ensue. She encouraged their curiosity and exploration of life's fascinations. There was never a "Shut up!" or "Because I said so!". When they were school age, they would ask her "Mom, how do you spell … ?", her response was invariably "Look it up in the dictionary." They thought that to be a proper answer from their sage teacher, and had their noses in the dictionary for many years and became avid readers as a result. It was only decades later that she admitted that she was a poor speller herself, and frequently did not know how to spell "… ." Now, of course, they know it is spelled "ellipsis."

Her beloved husband, Thomas (married in 1953), was also her high school sweetheart, and she was devoted to him until his death in 2011. Occasionally, Lavon would become flustered by Tom's obstinance during a minor disagreement, though, and she would exasperatingly exclaim "Stubborn Dutchman!", seemingly oblivious to the proverbial pot/kettle idiom; and that coming from the "Stubborn German". They were Teutoni cut from the same cloth, giving their children a double dose.

Although seemingly fragile, Lavon could be "tough as nails," but that was not the first impression that anyone had of her. She smiled readily and was quick to laugh. Anyone who first met her, and spent as little as five minutes with her, became quickly enamored by her, and she became their newest, most favorite person.

She was an avid reader. She was also a talented artist, preferring the media of pencil drawing and watercolor. She studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked in a podiatrist's office. She had plants growing in most rooms of the house, and was the family "Plant Whisperer", reviving "Mostly Dead" plants, or propagating new ones from a single leaf. She faithfully fed the native birds year-round and was their "Frances of Assisi."

Lavon was also preceded in death by her sisters Lois (Walter Raggetts – deceased), Barbara (stillborn), and Elaine. Also surviving are her sister Frances (Raymond Snitzky – deceased), 31 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and 16 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Lavon preferred donations to Cleveland Catholic Charities, if you were so inclined.

Friends received from 2-6PM MONDAY February 14 at the HOPKO FUNERAL HOME 6020 BROADVIEW RD (S OF SNOW RD) PARMA. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday February 15 at 11am at St Joseph Church 12700 Pearl Rd Strongsville (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH) followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.