Charlene Joyce Sutherland Mason, age 73, of Marengo died, Thursday morning, October 7, 2010 at her residence.
She was born on March 3, 1937 in Haysi, Virginia the daughter of the late Victor and Hazel (Owens) Sutherland.
In response to an opportunity for a better life for their children, Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland moved their family from the coal mines of Virginia to Morrow County after a short stop in Michigan. They settled in the Marengo area and Joyce has been there ever since.
She graduated from Marengo High School in the class of 1954.
After high school she began her journey with Morrow County Hospital; a career that would span over forty five years. It all started as a candy striper when she realized her calling to help people in the health care field. She eventually put herself through school to obtain her certification as a registered nurse, graduating in 1958 from White Cross/Riverside in Columbus. In 1969, Joyce went back to school to further her education at The Ohio State University to become certified as a Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She retired from the Morrow County Hospital in May of 2001.
On July 3, 1958 Joyce married Marvin Mason at the Marengo United Methodist Church where they were both members. Together they owned and operated Mason Farms Ltd. They truly knew the definition of hard work; she had her responsibilities as a nurse and he had his as the elementary school principal. Even after Marvin’s death in 1982, Joyce continued to operate the farm with her children as it exists today.
Starting in March of 1989, she served 5 terms on the Morrow County Board of Health, which spanned 20 years. In 2004 she became an advisor for the Morrow County Board Farm Service Agency-County Committee.
Joyce loved sports and was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Highland “Fighting” Scots. She knew her sports very well, and was known to occasionally voice her opinion when necessary to correct officiating calls.
She did not take the role of grandmother lightly and always knew what her grandkids were up to, rarely missing their events.
She was very proud of her degree from The Ohio State University and was so happy that all of her kids went on to graduate as well from The Ohio State University.
Joyce will be missed by her four children and their spouses, Teresa “Terri” Miller and her husband Kurt of Marengo, Mark Mason and his wife Kimberly of Westerville, Julie Zuber and her husband Michael of Sunbury, and Jon Mason and his wife Tonya of Marengo; her grandchildren Shawn (Josh Amer), Eric, and Kylene Miller, Joshua, Zachary, Jacob, and Andrew Mason, Ethan, and Samantha Zuber, Kayla, Trent, and Alex Mason; and her brothers Robert Sutherland of Marengo and Jimmy Sutherland of Evansville, Indiana.
Friends may call on the family on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 3-7 PM at the Marengo United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 8 Main Street, Marengo, Ohio 43334. Rev. Sue Antolik and Pastor Jeff Deel will perform funeral services in the church sanctuary on Sunday at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in Marengo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Morrow County Hospital Ladies Auxiliary (TWIGS), 651 W Marion Rd, Mt Gilead, Ohio 43338, the Highland Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 98, Sparta, Ohio 43350, or the Ohio Holstein Junior Association, P.O. Box 479, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
For those wishing to express their condolences to Joyce’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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