Obituary

Our bold and free-spirited daughter and sister, Katie Marie Mason of Stafford, Virginia, passed unexpectedly on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the age of 28 as the result of a tragic accident, trying to rescue her beloved black pug Stella.

Katie is survived by her parents, Stacy and Denise Mason of Stafford, Va.; siblings Sarah Mason and Joseph Mason; grandparents Michael and Karen Mason of Rudolph, Ohio, and Gene and Connie Ward of Hicksville, Ohio; adopted grandparents Jim and Nancy Coats of Stafford, Va.; and aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.

Katie was born on February 9, 1990 in Lucas County, Ohio. She attended schools in Fort Knox, Ky., Newport News, Va., and Stafford, Va., graduating from Brooke Point High School in Stafford, Va. in 2008. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University and graduated with a degree in Biology in 2013. She served in the Virginia Army National Guard and Army Reserves as a medic. Katie worked as an analyst at Anasec. She was also continuing her education at Northern Virginia Community College.

Katie was passionate about all creatures both big and small. She was the adoring momma to her fur-babies, Stella and Sapphire. While Sapphire, her precious cat, remains with the family, Stella has joined Katie in her eternal peace.

Katie lived life boldly. She skydived, she deep-sea fished, she attended concerts, and she acted with spontaneity. She lived with curiosity, loving to learn about all that interested her, and she never missed a shark week on the Discovery Channel. She found wonder in all of nature from watching storms and catching bugs. She loved to tease those she loved, and she would also drop everything to take care of a sick parent or a friend in need. She was an avid VCU Rams basketball fan who would rearrange a vacation to ensure she could cheer on her favorite team. A woman of many talents, Katie was also an artist, often illustrating her favorite subject: the cats.

Katie’s life will be celebrated from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 12 f at Covenant Funeral Service, 1310 Courthouse Road, Stafford, Va. For all who knew our beloved Katie, please come join us as we honor her and share our stories, laughter, and tears.

Katie was also a private person and would be astounded by all the attention her story has received. Katie can best be honored by a donation in her name to support her greatest dream, helping the endangered lions. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the African Wildlife Foundation at awf.org. She would have loved to know that she helped save even one lion.