Obituary of Mary Jones-Mason

"Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Jones-Mason, aged 42 , residing in Land O Lakes, FL passed away on October 22, after a five year battle with breast cancer.

Beth, born on June 30, 1981, spent most of her childhood in Randolph, NJ, where she was an accomplished student and runner. She studied biology at The College of William and Mary and went on to complete her Ph.D. in Immunology at Duke University. She had been a dedicated and passionate faculty member for nearly 10 years at the University of South Florida, reaching the position of Associate Professor of Instruction in the Department of Molecular Biosciences.

At the age of 30, she married Neil Mason after meeting in graduate school and adopting two adorable miniature schnauzers, Maddie and Sophie. Beth was an incredibly talented and committed teacher with students pursuing advanced degrees at numerous top tier institutions. She loved hiking, travelling, exploring new restaurants, and board game nights with friends. She spent countless hours volunteering as a teenager and as an adult, with the Appalachian Service Project, coaching soccer, getting elementary school students excited about science with in-class experiments, and judging local science fairs. She had an impeccable palette and a razor sharp wit. She was a loyal friend, brilliant scientist, and the most caring and supportive wife anyone could ask for.

She is survived by her husband, Neil Mason, her parents, C. Bruce Jones and Angie (Little) Jones, and her two fur children, Piper and Poppy."

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10AM on November 11, 2023 at Loyless Funeral Homes, 5310 Land O' Lakes Blvd, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639. A web cast will be available at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/107860847 for those unable to join in person.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests for donations to be made in Beth’s name to charities that were important to her.

Appalachian Service Project (https://asphome.org/give/) Humane Society of Tampa Bay (https://humanesocietytampa.org/how-to-help/) H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute (https://www.moffitt.org/give/)