Barbara Mason Wilson

Barbara lived in Greenport, for the past 12 ½ years, but was a former resident of Garden City, where she resided from 1958 to 2003. She was born to Charles William and Marguerite Walker Mason July 20, 1922, in Denver, Colo. and outlived her siblings, Charles and Marguerite.

Barbara grew up in Colorado and had an adventurous childhood in the mountains she loved. She had fond memories at Perry Mansfield Summer Camp in Steamboat Springs and family outings to Evergreen. She attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs where she became a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and was crowned beauty queen in her sophomore year. She also participated in sports and dance at college and was an accomplished equestrian.

Barbara joined Continental Airlines in 1942 as one of their pioneer flight attendants. She also worked as a real estate broker in Garden City for 20 years with her late husband, Francis B. Wilson. She had a wide range of interests and many wonderful friends for whom she cared deeply. Barbara was a formidable bridge opponent, an avid tennis player and passionate about art, theater and the ballet. She was also trained as a master gardener and was drawn to the natural beauty of flowers and plants. She and her late husband spent many hours planting and tending in their own garden over the 40 years she lived in Garden City.

Barbara was a lifelong volunteer and advocate for children. She volunteered in primary schools where she was a reading assistant and at BOCES where she helped with enrichment programs and field trips. She was a founding member of the volunteer program at Nassau University Medical Center (formerly Meadowbrook Hospital) and also volunteered at the mini-surgery clinic at Winthrop Hospital for many years. Barbara also was a member and volunteer at Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson, N.Y. for over 20 years.

Above all else, Barbara cherished her family and was deeply engaged in their lives. Barbara expressed her tremendous love through her thoughtful words and generous actions. She faced adversity and her own significant life challenges with courage and grace and her strong character has been a lifelong model for her children, family members and friends. She will be fondly remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, her keen intellect, her kindness and her ability to grow and adapt to the changing times. She was a progressive thinker and strongly independent to the end.

Barbara is survived by her children, Claudia C. Morgan (James Waldron) of Stillwater, Minn., Paul J. Connor, II (Constance) of Mattituck, Christine M. Kelly of Oyster Bay and her children by marriage, Sandra Wilson of Los Angeles, Calif. and Andrea Wilson of Danbury, Conn. five grandchildren: Jesse Morgan (Jeannine) of Garden City, Margot Coffey (Clay) of Southold, Mason Connor of Mattituck, Meredith Kelly of New York City, and Shannon Kelly of Oyster Bay, plus four great-grandchildren, Sage, Garrett, Hunter and Iris Morgan and her beloved pet, Ellie.

There will be a celebration of Barbara’s life for immediate family.

Memorial donations may be given in her name to Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson, NY or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements were entrusted to Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport.