On May 24, 1950 Shelia Mason was born to Carol Davis at her Grandparents house in Springfield, Colorado.  March 24, 1951 brought a blessing when her mom Carol married Jesse Stafford. Jesse not only married Carol but Sheila as well. This small family began to grow as they welcomed a sister Louise Christine, then later welcomed another sister Katharine Elaine. During the younger years, Carol nicknamed the girls Sam, Pete, and Shorty to which Sheila always used the name Kate instead of Shorty, unless someone needed to be blamed and it was then Katie did it!

Shelia attended school in Vilas and Walsh with her graduating in 1968 from Walsh High School. Shelia spent her early years working in many restaurants doing various jobs.  She washed dishes, waited tables, bussed tables, and on occasion cooked.  This is how she met the love of her life and soulmate Jerry Mason.

They were wed on January 31, 1970 at the Methodist Church in Walsh, Colorado. Right after being wed, Shelia and Jerry lived in Walsh, Colorado and Campo, Colorado.   February 20, 1971 Shelia and Jerry welcomed a bouncing baby boy, Jerry Shane Mason.  Later the small family of three moved to Springfield, Colorado on an acre of land that Jerry had purchased. He fixed up a house for Shelia and Shane.  Shelia had the ability to be a stay at home mom and help Jerry with any odd jobs he picked up on the weekend. August 25, 1974 they welcomed the daughter that would complete the "perfect family", Shannon Lynn Mason.

Shelia continued to be a stay at home mom, cleaning houses and trading babysitting to help the family as well as helping with odd jobs. In 1983 when the Southeast Colorado Hospital Long Term Care Center opened, Shelia began her career outside of the home working as a CNA.  In these early years, she developed a joy for caring for the elderly. On May 11, 1985 Shelia lost her husband in a tragic accident during work.  This was only a small hiccup to her wanting to continue working with the elderly.  Since her focus needed to be on her children, as a single mother, she switched to driving the school and activity buses.  This was something she loved, as she had the opportunity to watch Shane participate in his sporting events.  Her support ran great for her children and she did not like to miss any sporting events they participated in. Her words were "every time I miss watching Shane he gets injured." She might have been watching her kids but the team became all her kids as well. For many years there were jokes that Holly and Cheyenne Wells Gyms had her hinny prints in the bleachers, we just had to look. For a short time she worked at Princess Lanes AKA Bowling Alley as both a waitress and a cook.  During this time she began taking college classes when they were offered through Lamar Community College in Springfield, Colorado.  Not really knowing at the time that she just wanted to expand her knowledge.  The opportunity arose for her to work as a CNA at Walsh Healthcare Center doing what she had come to love, so many years prior.  She continued her college classes and her goal became more focused as she wanted to become an LPN.   But that dream was crushed, when she was injured and was unable to continue working in the field of medicine. Despite this complication, she continued taking her classes to achieve an associate's degree of general studies.  Her children were so very proud of her. She worked for a short time with her son and daughter at Loaf N Jug making pizzas and deli sandwiches. She even supported Shane in the donut business, Jer's Place.  She enjoyed making the donuts but even managed to find time to be chatty Kathy with the patrons.

Shelia and Jerry spent many nights playing pinochle or pitch with Larry and Cheryl. After Jerry passed, you would find Shelia and Cheryl chattering and cackling over a glass of iced tea. Shelia loved to let her artistic side out with the help of Colma Rae Tate. Shelia could be found in Walsh, CO painting up a storm on many Wednesdays at Colma's Studio.  She really had a knack for taking a vision and making it materialize on canvas, or in fabric.

The many "adventures" she took her children on were to teach them how to relax and have fun.  Early in her kids' lives there was a bucket list of places they wanted to go and things they wanted to see.  Many vacations were spent in the canyons, hunting and sightseeing, and trips to larger towns and discovering fun things. Shelia's love of art led them to Santa Fe, NM and Taos, NM several times.  The culture of the Indians fascinated her, walking the square and bargaining, as well as wandering in and out of the galleries, always elated her.  The Laredo Chapel was a place that, as busy as it was, always brought peace, and comfort.  Sheila, Shane, and Shannon would explore the chapel. But many times they were there; all 3 would also sit and soak it in. In 2001 Shannon won a trip to Laughlin, Nevada for two.  Shannon and Shelia set off to drive cross county to see Santa Fe, Laughlin, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon.  During this trip sitting in a hotel room 9/11 happened. Shelia, the early riser, was watching the news while Shannon was getting ready. Shelia dragged Shannon out of the shower with shampoo in her hair, to witness on the news the event that changed the tone of the entire trip.  It was an adventure to say the least.  Shelia was enamored with the water taxis in Laughlin, the size of those Carpe, and the lights of Las Vegas. One of her biggest fears came true as she and Shannon drove down the strip with no brakes in a car that sounded like a hopped up chainsaw with a thumping stereo. Yes it was pretty ghetto style.  Treasure Island is where she wanted to stay. Oh the fun she had watching dueling pianos, the shows, and of course clicking a few buttons on a slot machine.  After the car was repaired, Shelia and Shannon set out on the adventure home with the mindset "who needs a map, we will follow road signs".  Of course that took them directly to the Grand Canyon where she was in awe of the vastness and beauty of the place.

August 20, 2004 Shelia was crushed when her son passed away.  She was ever so grateful for his sneaky ways of making her and Shannon make promises to him to seek out peace between them.

She had several small adventures of short trips to Amarillo, Texas to check out Mandy and Alex's pottery. The Sunset Center was always a source of joy and her admiration of their artistic talents. They were always so willing to share with her, not to mention the three girls always brought so much joy while she watched them run free spirited through the studio.

In 2021 Shannon and Shelia were off on another big adventure to visit Shelley and John in New York, with no schedule in sight. Shelley and Ruby took them to some amazing waterfalls and drives through the countryside.  It was decided that Shelia and Shannon would drive up to Niagara Falls, as this was a dream for Sheila. It was Jerry and Shannon's lifelong dream to be on the water as well. Shelia took a spill on the first part of the Tour as they were preparing to get on the Maid of the Mist.  She continued on as she wanted to fulfill the lifelong dream to be on the water with the falls, as it was also a dream of Shannon and Jerry's.  The sound was deafening, the water misting on your face, the beauty was pure magical for a point in time.  This was their calm in the storm of life. Albeit short as the trip was, it was a trip of a lifetime.

Who would have known that less than a year later she would be sitting outside her house watching the firemen battle a fire within her house.   She lost most of her possessions and it took her almost a year to be happy back "HOME" on the property she built her dreams on and tore her dreams down upon.  She was able to enjoy her new home for a few months before being called home on April 16, 2023.

She will always be known for her big heart, her brutal honesty, and her eye for the details.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Herman and Katharine Davis, mother Carol Smith, dad Jesse Stafford, step dad Donald Smith, husband Jerry Mason, son Jerry Shane Mason, father in law John Mason, mother in law Lois Mason, sister Chris Piper.

Left to celebrate her life is daughter Shannon Mason, sister Elaine (Harold) Bohl, brother in law Max Piper, brother in law Don (Terry) Mason and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.