Obituary of Olivia Gouger Mason

Olivia Gouger Mason, 93, died Friday, May 11, 2018 in Fort Worth.Olivia was born in San Antonio on November 26, 1924, the daughter of Lily Hall and Thomas Morris Gouger, Sr. She spent her youth in Robstown, Texas, with her older brother and a group of childhood friends who remained close throughout their lives. These ladies celebrated their graceful aging with regular reunions for a number of years.She had many fond memories of summer camp at Waldemar in Hunt, and traveling 400 miles by train as a fifteen-year-old to attend The Hockaday School in Dallas. Olivia continued her education at The University of Texas where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In June, 1944, she married Paul Warren Mason, and they became the parents of three daughters. The family resided in Corpus Christi and Robstown before moving to Fort Worth in 1961 when her husband became chief executive officer and chairman of First National Bank of Fort Worth.Olivia enthusiastically settled into life in Fort Worth where she was soon involved in community, cultural, and volunteer activities. Outgoing and with a genuine interest in people, she made new friendships and these have endured for nearly 60 years. A past president of The Assembly, Olivia also served on numerous committees for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the Junior League, and other organizations. A lifelong Episcopalian, she was proud to serve on the vestry of All Saints’ Episcopal Church.She was particularly proud of her Texas lineage that included ancestors who received land grants from Stephen F. Austin and fought at San Jacinto. Researching to supplement a family history booklet written by her Alston grandmother, she documented generations from the Revolutionary War to Jamestown and beyond. It gave her great pleasure to complete a project begun many years before by a real daughter of the Republic of Texas.A lifetime learner, Olivia studied art and ancient civilizations in her later years commuting with friends to SMU. She traveled to many wonderful and interesting places with family and friends into her late eighties and believed as did St. Augustine that “the world is a great book, and those who do not travel see only one page.”Olivia remained intellectually curious and kept up with current world and local events. She loved to entertain friends in her home and was always a gracious and charming hostess. She found joy in music, beautiful flowers, reading, and looked forward each week to playing bridge with dear friends. Olivia lived her life to the fullest.Mrs. Mason was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Paul Warren Mason; daughter, Nancy Mason Johnston; and brother Thomas Morris Gouger, Jr.She is survived by two daughters, Carol Mason Norris and Olivia “Cita” Mason Riley; son-in-law Donald M. Johnston; grandchildren, Ashton Norris Burridge and husband Scott; Christine Johnston Warren and husband Tom; Winston Mason Riley, and Hunter Olivia Riley; and great-grandchildren, Sophie Mason Johnson, Riley Joseph Burridge, and Tyler MacFarland Burridge. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Gloria McCarrick Massey and Joan Bushey Mason as well as nieces and nephews.