Frances Harriss Mason

Frances Harriss Mason, the matriarch of her family, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother died peacefully Sunday morning, January 15, 2023, with her husband of 57 years by her side. She was 78. Frances is survived by her husband, The Reverend Jack Mason of Easton, MD; her son, Mark Mason, Sr., of Secretary, MD; his sons, Mark, Jr., and Daniel and fiancé, Kristina; daughter, Ashley Thomas-Mason of Quantico, MD; her sons, Gabriel and Adan, and husband, John. She is preceded in death by her father, George Nehemiah Harriss, Jr., of Wilmington, NC; her mother, Julia Hobgood Harriss of Wilmington, NC; and her brother, George Nehemiah Harriss, III, of Fayetteville, NC. Frances was born August 5, 1944, in Wilmington, NC. She attended Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. She married Jack Mason, whom she met while attending fencing classes in Wilmington, NC. She then moved to Mexico, MO, where they welcomed their first child, Mark, into the world in 1967. They moved to Severna Park, MD, where they raised their children, Mark and Ashley, who they welcomed into the world in 1973. They eventually settled in Easton for the remainder of her life. Frances was a real estate agent in Severna Park and eventually took a position at Open Door in Annapolis where she worked as a substance use disorder counselor for the remainder of her professional career, a career that truly defined her. Frances spent her childhood years with numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles at the Carolina Yacht Club in Wrightsville Beach, NC. She enjoyed sailing and rocking in the chairs on the yacht club porch. She was a devoted mother and wife and raised her children in Severna Park. When retired in Easton, Frances would swing on the front porch of their home greeting the many neighbors and friends she invited to have a glass of lemonade with her and to visit. She also enjoyed knitting and volunteer work at the many organizations she supported. She was a voracious reader and loved nothing more than enjoying time with her children and grandchildren. Frances is described by friends and family as being compassionate, warm, funny, feisty, beautiful, and amazing person, a compass and force of life, a powerhouse of love, humor, and goodwill, a dear friend and tireless advocate for others. Her loss will be felt by many who loved her dearly. A memorial service is scheduled for Frances on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Christ Church in St. Michaels, MD. The service will be immediately followed by a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are requested in her memory: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now

Frances Harriss Mason

August 5, 1944 - January 15, 2023