Gertrude Francis Mason

Gertrude Francis Mason, 102, a lifelong resident of Union County, died Sept. 19 at her home. A private graveside service will be held at the Union Cemetery.

Gertrude was born Dec. 7, 1907, in Ladd Canyon, at the home of her parents, Frank and Edith (Furgason) McClure. She spent her entire life in the Grande Ronde Valley.

Gertrude had a simple philosophy of life: be honest, work hard and do the right thing. She could always be found in her home or garden where she practiced this philosophy along with a unique resourcefulness and a desire to be a good steward of the earth's resources. She often said, "Happiness is still homemade." Those who knew Gertrude say she was grateful for what she had and wished for nothing more.

She leaves her family a few cherished items from an earlier era: a favorite garden hoe, an ice pick, lots of canning equipment and a pie lifter that her great-grandparents brought to the west on the Oregon Trail wagon train. She was meticulous about the care of all equipment.

Gertrude was known for her perseverance, resourcefulness, and devoted love and commitment to her family.

Survivors include one brother, Francis McClure of Forest Grove; two sons, Wayne Spears of Seattle and Mike DeVore of Union; two daughters, Gracia Goodrich and Darlene Saunders, both of Ashland; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three husbands, William Beverage, Art DeVore and Harry Mason; daughter, Ethel Beverage and son, Dale Beverage, both of Union; brother, Henry McClure of North Powder; four sisters, Nell Schmitke of Portland, Leona Krueger of Portland, Lula Counsel of La Grande and Margaret Chandler of La Grande.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Family Medical Center, 142 Dearborn, Union 97883.

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