Shirley Louise Mason Carson, age 85, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her sleep on Tuesday, May 3, at her home in Shoreline, WA, which she shared with her daughter, Carolyn Southam Renaud.

Shirley was born on the 21st of January, 1920, in Gresham, Oregon, to Walter and Elise Wold Mason, and grew up in the Portland area. She met her future husband, Ray Carson, while picking fruit in the summer of 1938; they married in September of that year and were to enjoy 63 years of marriage before Ray’s passing in April of 2001.

Shirley and Ray had 3 children: Steven now of Chicago in 1940, Carolyn in 1942, and David of Richland in 1958. From them, they had 8 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Shirley and Ray moved to Richland in 1952 and began work at Hanford. Shirley worked as an Executive Secretary on site until her retirement in 1983. They were members of Richland Lutheran Church from 1954, and their strong faith supported them throughout their lives.

Shirley and Ray were both forward-looking and adventurous. Shirley was one of the first people at Hanford to become a Certified Professional Secretary. She served numerous terms as President of both GenTrics and of the local Professional Secretaries International chapter. Her professionalism, skill and energy at her work influenced many people at Hanford. Shirley and Ray were always “ahead of the curve” and among the first to try new things.

Shirley and Ray loved to travel, and over the years saw much of the western United States and many foreign countries, from Australia and China to Austria and Norway. Their foreign travels were usually with a group of Richland Lutheran friends called “The Nomads”. This group also met regularly to play Pinochle, and one of Shirley’s grandest moments came when she was dealt a “perfect hand”, which she had framed for a keepsake. Shirley and Ray rode many thousands of miles of their Gold Wing on trips all over the country, usually with their special friends, the Geddes. Their later years saw them become “snowbirds”, eventually purchasing a winter home in Yuma, Arizona.

Shirley was preceded in death by her 6 siblings, her husband Ray, and one grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Good News Media Ministry, care of Richland Lutheran Church.

Services will be held at Richland Lutheran Church at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 7th. Visitation will be held Friday, May 6th at Einan’s Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00 PM.