Obituary of Irma Mason

Irma Joyce Kidd was born in Romulus on January 4, 1926. She was one of four children born from the union of the late Leonard and Viola (Baisch) Kidd. Joyce graduated from Monroe High School with the class of 1944, and attended Cleary College receiving her business diploma. On September 26, 1945 she married the love of her life Bennie Mason. Together the couple would share in the birth of eight children raising them in a Christian home attending St. Anne Parish. Joyce found great pride caring for her family. She supported them as a loving homemaker. Joyce was active with the Frenchtown Senior Center; enjoyed playing Bunko, and was a member of the River Raisin Camping Club. For more than seventy years, Joyce regularly met and reminisced with the Chat and Chew Club at church. This was a group of individuals whom she had attended school with. Joyce was also very generous with her resources sponsoring Catholic foster children agencies and giving to paralyzed veterans. After Bennie's retirement the couple spent fifteen years in Florida cherishing time together. After his passing she eventually made her way back to Michigan becoming an integral part of her grandchildren's lives. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought immeasurable joy to her life and she to theirs. Irma Joyce Mason, age 89, of Monroe left this earth to meet our Heavenly Father on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the University of Toledo Medical Center surrounded by her family. Although she has passed on, she will forever walk beside Bennie and keep close watch over her beloved family. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by her husband of forty-eight years: Bennie; daughter: Donna Mason; brother: Jack Kidd; infant brother; sister: Ina Marchese; and son-in-law: James Eastes. To cherish Irma's memory she leaves seven children: Dennis (Connie) of Carleton, Terrie Eastes of Monroe, Susan (John) Clark of Monroe, Francis (Jackie)of Virginia, Ben (Norene) of Monroe; Barbara (Tom) Haddix of Monroe, and Joanne (Jim) Wozniak of Toledo; seventeen loving grandchildren: Christopher, Shelly, Robert, Kerrie, Brandon, Reese, Aaron, Sam, Cathy, Darrel, Rebecca, Amanda, Jennifer, Kaylee, Thomas, Christopher, and Jocilyn; twenty great grandchildren and her sisters Joanne And Velma. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. She will lie in state from 10:00am until Mass of Resurrection at 11:00am on Wednesday, May 13 at St. Anne, 2420 North Dixie with Father Victor Roman officiating. Procession will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials in her honor are suggested to Frenchtown Seniors, Disabled Veterans, or Catholic Social Services. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.