In memoriam: Evelyn Mason, 1924 - 2011

Evelyn "Pete" Mason, 86, died peacefully on July 13, 2011, in Bellingham, where she had resided since 1954.

Born Oct. 8, 1924, in Grand Junction, Colo., Pete was the daughter of Edward and Margaret Peterson. Her mother had emigrated from Scotland, and late in life Pete was happy to reconnect with relatives overseas.

On arriving in Bellingham, she co-founded the first mental health clinic in the community, then became a professor of psychology at Western Washington University. One of the first women Ph.Ds in the state, she for several years directed Project Catch-Up, a program to help disadvantaged youth continue their education.

She enjoyed skiing and sailing with her family and traveling to many foreign countries. An avid reader, she was long a member of Great Books and other groups in town, in addition to cultural organizations affiliated with the university.

Late in life it was her special joy to be a grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her son Doug, former husband Dr. Jim Mason, and husband Art Brueggeman. She is survived by son Dave Mason, daughter-in-law Anne Lennox and her daughter Darcy and granddaughters Alli and Marli, son Don Mason, his wife Laura Domoto and their daughters, Cameron and Quinn, Art Brueggeman’s family, including his daughter Diane Craig, her husband John and their children Ursula and Jesse, and numerous other family members.

Memorials may be made to the Western Foundation, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. A celebration of Pete’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Westford Funeral Home. A reception across the street at Westford’s Broadway Hall will follow.