Priscilla Mason

MASON, Priscilla, age 98, of Duxbury, formerly of Washington, D.C., died on March 23, 2012. Priscilla was born on November 6, 1913 in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. She was the only child of Elsa and Sydney Mason. Priscilla's mother was deeply involved in numerous charitable activities in Whitinsville and her father was a vice-president of the Whitin Machine Works of which Priscilla's grandfather, Marston Whitin, was the chief executive. During her youth Priscilla had many Whitin relations in the Village and was initially schooled with some of them in a building on her grandparent's estate under the watchful eye of her grandmother Catherine Lasell Whitin. At age 13 she was sent to board at Miss Hall's School in Pittsfield, and graduated in 1931. Notwithstanding the depression she spent four enjoyable years at Smith College and received an A.B. degree Phi Beta Kappa in 1935. After travel in Japan and China, she enrolled at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and received a master's degree. She stayed on at the Fletcher School and in 1943 was working as an assistant in the library and registrar's office when the dean, Halford Hoskins, persuaded her to join him in Washington D.C. in forming a new graduate school to train future diplomats and others involved in international relations. She dedicated the next 24 years to the graduate school, the School for Advanced International Studies, which later became part of Johns Hopkins University, and worked for Hoskins and two other deans. In the school's early years she managed everything from registration, financial aid, admissions, fundraising, administration and maintenance: if asked who ran the school during these years graduates might specify the dean but always would mention Priscilla Mason. During her career at SAIS Priscilla showed a deep interest in the students and was a friendly and compassionate mentor to many of them. She retired in 1967 but continued to help students not only with friendship but also with financial support. On arriving in Washington Priscilla acquired a small 18th century house on N Street where she lived for 35 years. With assistance from her housekeeper, Maria Gaede, the house became the scene of constant activity. Priscilla knew how to give a good party and would often do so for colleagues, students, family and friends. Many out-of-towners never thought of staying in a hotel when in Washington but instead would call Priscilla who would invariably welcome them into her home, arrange activities and provide a memorable stay. Her abilities as a hostess, organizer and warm friend and relative were also employed in Priscilla's operation of the family fishing camp on Kennebago Lake in Northern Maine. The camp had been established by her grandfather and lacked electricity and road access. With help from some excellent Maine guides Priscilla took over operation of the camp from her mother and for 25 years saw to staffing and maintenance of its numerous buildings and boats. She ran the camp with calm, style and efficiency in the manner in which it had always been run. Numerous guests had a very special experience. After her mother's death, Priscilla who had always been generous in charitable works established the Homestead Foundation through which her charitable giving was directed. She also established the Priscilla Mason Funds for Public Service, which provides full tuition to two SAIS students intending to pursue a career in United States government service. With good memories of her early life in Whitinsville Priscilla has also provided significant funding to the Whitin Community Center, to Alternatives Inc. for its restoration of the first Whitin mill and to the Village Congregational Church. While in Washington she was a faithful member of Westmoreland Congregational Church and became its first woman moderator in 1975. An avid reader, she also liked to hike, to fish, to travel and to play bridge.  Survivors include many cousins, including Anne Sawyer, Arlette Swift, Martha Gruson, Christine Bachrach, Cora Truslow and Alexander Whiteside,  her life-long friend Harriet Micocci, Harriet's children Rhoda Micocci, Anthony Micocci and Jonathan Micocci, her adviser and friend John Goldthwait, her friends Frank and Susan Strom, Maine guide and friend Charles Bradbury, and her principal caregiver in recent years Karen Drosos. A memorial service to celebrate Priscilla's life will be held on Saturday April 14 at 11:00 A.M. in the Village Congregational Church, 25 Church St., Whitinsville. Family, friends and those touched by Priscilla's good works are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers donations in Priscilla's memory may be made to the School for Advanced International Studies, 1740 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20036. Directions and guestbook at www.carrfuneralhome.com.

3/26/12