Obituary of Margaret Antoinette Mason

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, 83, of Southport, NY, passed away on December 6, 2022. Toni was born in Elmira, NY to Anna Hahnel Guinane and Leo Francis Guinane on June 8, 1939. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1957 and went on to earn a dual bachelor's degree in psychology and zoology from St. Michael's College of the University of Toronto in 1961. After her first husband, Paul Foley, died in 1963, she married Martin Mason in 1966 and they raised their four children in Elmira. Toni worked in several fields throughout her career. Notable was her co-ownership of The Caboose clothing store in Southport with her friend Madelyn Balok. She also helped to found the Southport Business Association. She retired as a real estate broker after working for several local real estate agencies. Toni was very involved in her community, volunteering at many organizations over the years, including the Steele Memorial Library. She proudly co-founded the Southport Historical Society with her friend Jean Sweeney and helped to lead it for many years. Toni loved attending her grandchildren's events with her husband. She read widely, and especially loved history. She did extensive genealogical research and enjoyed exploring her Irish heritage, including a trip to Ireland in 2011. Toni is survived by Martin Mason, her husband of 56 years; children, Cathleen (Kevin) Deery, Paul (Susan) Mason, Marty (Brenda) Mason, and Mary Roff; grandchildren, Justin, Sean (Kristen), Ryan, and Owen Mason, Michael (Nicole), Anna and Ella Deery, Matthew Villie and Katharine Roff; and great-grandchild Nora Mason, as well as friend Madelyn Balok, who was like a sister to her; and sisters-in-law, Norma Elvidge and Mildred Bristol. Toni was predeceased by her parents, granddaughter Hope Deery, and sisters-in-law, Florence Kneller, Irma Chapman, and Adeline Payne. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Friday, December 16, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Toni on Saturday, December 17, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 224 Franklin Street, Elmira. Interment, with committal prayers, will follow at Fitzsimmons Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to: Stray Haven, 194 Shepard Road, Waverly, NY 14892 or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.