Margaret Masson

Margaret Ann (Kuperman) Masson AKA "Mamaw" or "Maw Grit" of Cullowhee, NC, passed away from a sudden illness Thursday, July 21, 2016 at the age of 77. On October 21, 1938 she was born to Audrey (Webster) Kuperman and Raphael "Ike" Kuperman in Asheville, NC where she graduated in 1956 from Lee Edwards High School (now Asheville High School). She received her nursing license from the Mercy School of Nursing in Charlotte, NC in 1959. She then married Frank Rogers Masson, a career Navy Submarine Officer. They raised their five children, Michael, Timothy, Patrick, Theresa and Rogers, along the coasts of the United States, and Margaret was often a single mom to their active bunch while Rogers was out to sea. In 1978, upon his retirement from the Navy, they relocated the family to settle in Cullowhee. Margaret completed her Bachelor's degree in Nursing while working at the Western Carolina University Infirmary, where she continued to work until she retired in 2000. She really enjoyed her work with the students there. In recent years, Margaret has been a regular participant at the Senior Center in Sylva. She treasured her friends and time there, and threw herself wholeheartedly into the activities offered there, such as zip lining, quilting, and tai chi. Margaret was preceded by her newborn twin baby sister; Mary Elizabeth Kuperman; her parents, Raphael "Ike" and Audrey (Webster) Kuperman; her husband, Frank Rogers Masson; and her children Theresa Audrey Masson and Michael Raphael Masson. She is survived by: her sister, Hope Siniard of Jacksonville, Florida; her honorary sister/best friend for life, Sandra Guill of Asheville, NC; her son Timothy Masson, Sr., his wife Wendy Masson and their children, Patrick Anderson, Timothy Masson, Jr., and Jamie Masson; her son Michael's widow Dorcas Masson; her son Patrick Masson and children Blake and Jorden Masson; and Rogers Masson and his children Levon and Henley Hill; and finally her beloved dogs, Kimmit, Daisy, Otti and numerous dogs past. Margaret adored her family and never met a stranger. She had adopted "Darlin's" all over the place that she lovingly welcomed under her wing. She was the most kind, compassionate, thoughtful generous, and unconditional loving ray of sunshine I have ever known. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Margaret's memory to: Jackson County Senior Center 1 Central St. Sylva, NC 28779 . .