By Clyde Noel
Town Crier Correspondent
Obituary
Nancy Lavinia Mason, a woman who friends described as determined and committed to the cause of preserving historic structures, died in her sleep Aug. 29 at her Los Altos home. She was 75.
Because of Mrs. Mason’s efforts, the Willard M. Griffin House, located on the Foothill College campus, is still standing.
As chairwoman of the Committee to Save Griffin House, Mrs. Mason made numerous presentations to the Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees to save the historic building. Her committee helped raise $101,000 toward preserving the house and turned it over to the college district. The structure has been included in the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.
“Using clear vision, she was a believer in the saving of the earth, historical preservation and civil liberties,” said her daughter, Terry Mason. “Almost her entire life she had something to do with one of those three things.”
After graduating from Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, Mrs. Mason earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Mills College. After graduation, she worked as a journalist for Sunset magazine and the Journal of Accountancy before moving to New York with her husband.
Returning to California in 1960, Mrs. Mason enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley and completed her master’s degree in social work in 1966. After graduation, she held numerous positions in a variety of agencies including the California Department of Mental Hygiene, Operational Sentinel, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Mrs. Mason was a member of various historical societies and served on the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission. She sang with the Chancel Choir at the Los Altos United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Mason is survived by her husband Larry Mason of Los Altos; son Jeffrey Mason of Eugene, Ore., and daughter Terry Mason of Sherman Oaks; granddaughter Ashley Mason of Eugene: and sisters, Mary Ryan of Willits and Betty Farchi of Grass Valley.
A memorial service was held Saturday at the Los Altos United Methodist Church.
The family requests that donations be made to the Trust for Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos. 94022.
