Judith A. “Judi” Mason of Hermiston died on Nov. 28, 2022 at the age of 77 while hospitalized in Portland. She succumbed to injuries suffered in a fall at her home in Hermiston.
She was born on Dec. 5, 1944 in Covina, Calif. to Thomas and Rita Momberg Harland.
Judi graduated from Riley High School in South Bend, Ind. in 1962. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Indiana University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha as well as the Singing Hoosiers. She married Charles (Gus) Dearman in 1969 and worked as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines. The couple enjoyed traveling the world together. They lived in various states and settled in the Seattle, Wash. area. They were divorced in 1990.
In 1991, Judi met Dean Mason in Astoria while she was working for Joann Fabrics. They were married on Aug. 17, 1991 at the Astoria Presbyterian Church. Dean’s music teaching career took them to Klamath Falls and Ashland before they moved to Hermiston in 1995. Music and theater were always the spark in Judi’s life. She participated enthusiastically throughout high school and college. Later in life, she performed in many musicals, including Barefoot in the Park, The Mikado, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and Damn Yankees. Judi and Dean were active with the College Community Theatre in Pendleton. She was a member of the Hermiston United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and played handbells. Judi also sang with the Inland Northwest Chorale for many years. She was an excellent seamstress and loved crossword puzzles and games. She also adored her precious cats, Jack and Pandora.
She is survived by her nieces, Michelle Bennett of Portland (Elle and Lexus) and Melissa Ruiz (Nick) of Kansas City, Kan. (Nathan, Emma, Maggie and Isabel); her nephew, Ben Cooper (Vi) of Boston, Mass. (Rex and Sam); her step-daughter, Debbi McMahon (Jay) of Bend (Patrick and Garrett); her step-son, Mike Mason of Tualatin; and her aunt, Rosemary Pennell of Portland.
Judi was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Jane; and both of her husbands.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Hermiston First United Methodist Church, 191 E. Gladys Ave.
Family suggests memorial donations go to the Hermiston United Methodist Church.
Please share memories of Judi with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
