Lena D. Mason
Apr 22, 1931 -
Sep 26, 2026
Lena D. "Lee" Mason, "Meme" as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away peacefully in the arms of our Lord at her daughter's home in Meridian, Idaho, on Sept. 26, 2026.
Lena was born on April 22, 1931, in Boston, Mass., to Angelina and Francesco Rizzi. She graduated from Hyde Park High School in Hyde Park, Mass.
During that time, she developed her love for music and became an accomplished piano player that lead her to meeting the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Mason, when she filled in for his band. They were married on July 21,1951.
The family got stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1969. Mom was the epitome of an Air Force wife and stay-at-home mom. She became a youth bowling coach and joined the local Youth Board of Directors for Anchorage and served as Vice-President and then President for many years. Lena was instrumental in getting bowling to be a varsity letter sport for high schools in the Anchorage area in the 1990s. She was a member of the United States Bowling Congress for over 50 years and was inducted into the Greater Anchorage USBC Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service during the 1991-1992 season. Lena was also a member of St. Anthony's and St. Patrick's Catholic churches.
Lena's greatest love in life was her family. Family first and foremost, Mama Bear came out more times than we can count - her feisty and stubborn spirit making an appearance, especially when it was at the defense and protection of her family.
Lena is survived by sons, Robert "Bob" Mason Jr. (Carol) of New Jersey, and Rick Mason of Anchorage; daughters, Lynne Goard (Chris) of Idaho, and Lori Petty (Brian) of Anchorage; grandchildren, Christina, and Robert Mason III (Tina) of Maine, Diana Weber (Drew) of New Jersey, Margaret "Maggie" Mason (Trevin) of North Carolina, Royce Woodruff (Jenelle) of Idaho, Ryan Dudley (Kacie) of Iowa, Jenna Dudley, Alec Dudley (Haley) and Katelyn Petty, all of Anchorage, Christopher Goard (Rebecca) of Chugiak and Oliver Goard of Wasilla; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Neveah, Carleigh, Leenah, Miranda, Otto, Oscar, Heidi, AJ, Kennady, Claire, Mason, RaeAnne, Aubree, Matilda, Addisyn and Bristol. Lena was joyously reunited with her husband of 57 years, Robert; son, John; daughter-in-law, Patricia; mom and dad; brothers, Luigi and William; and grandchildren, Arianne and David.
Our family wishes to thank Dr. Stephen Settle of the CyberKnife Center at Providence Alaska Medical Center and Dr. Stephen Schaffer of ACENT and Resound ENT for their talents that allowed us more quality time with mom than anyone thought possible. In addition, the staff of Medical Park, Dr. White, Dr. Buck, Dr. Laufer and Dr. Beck, who took amazing care of mom over the past 45 years. Also, a big thank you to the amazing nurses at Providence Alaska Medical Center for the extraordinary care they took with mom over the past year.
A celebration of life will take place in June 2027. We are so grateful for an amazing 95 years for mom, but somehow, that wasn't enough. Mom, we love you to the moon and back. Goodbye is not forever. Goodbye is not the end. It simply means we will miss you until we meet again.
