Jean Mason, mother of Paul Mason and grandmother to Simon and Caroline Mason died peacefully recently at the age of 89.

Jean was a strong and familiar figure in the moving industry, especially at the BAR conferences and will be missed by all those in the moving industry who knew her.

In his tribute to Jean delivered at the funeral, Steve Sheldon, said that Jean was someone who always understood that customers came first.  She became a Director of the family business in 1971 following the death of her brother-in-law Leslie Mason. But it was following the death of her husband Stanley in 1983 that Jean took a more active part in the family business.

Steve said that Jean was a lady who went out of her way to take a genuine interest in the people she knew or just happened to meet. She attended many industry trade conferences with Stanley, and more recently with her son Paul and other members of the John Mason team. She was well known and always took a keen interest in people and what was happening in the global moving industry.

Jean was an active member of BAR and regularly attended area meetings. She was elected Chairman of the Association’s North West Area in 1991 & 1992. During that time the Area regularly had upwards of 50 attendees – figures that have never been exceeded since. Also in the early nineties she took on the role of Chairman of the RBA, the Removers Benevolent Association, a position that she held for ten years.  This was typical of the charitable work with which Jean was involved.

She cared deeply about people. Steve said that she was always the one who made sure people had a birthday, anniversary or special occasion card. “It didn’t matter to her whether you were a driver, porter, warehouseman, office worker or fellow director, Jean always had time to enquire about your family, how your job was going or just where you planned to go for your next holiday,” he said. After Jean retired, she continued to make regular visits to the office to maintain the contact with the company’s staff.

Jean was loved by those who knew her well and respected by those who didn’t.  With her passing the industry has lost a beacon, an ambassador and a friend.

Photo:  Jean Mason with great-grandson Monte and his mum, Sadye.