Dorothy Jene (Dolly) Mason of Midland passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at the age of 94. She was born on July 11, 1927 in Ancon, Panama. Her parents were Dr. Estus Hubert Magoon and Edna Jean Meeker Magoon. Dr. Magoon was an assistant to John D. Rockefeller in the management of Mr. Rockefeller’s interests and projects in South and Central America and in the Caribbean.
During her lifetime, Dolly lived a fascinating and exciting life in Panama, Costa Rica, Kingston, Jamaica, and Havana, Cuba. From childhood, Dolly had a great love of music and was a gifted vocalist. At the age of seven, Dolly was a solo performer for England’s Crown Prince Edward on his visit to Jamaica.
Dolly graduated cum laude at the age of twenty from Highpoint College (now Highpoint University) majoring in Education with a minor in Music.
Shortly after graduation, Dolly married Dan Gillett who was working for Texaco in Dallas, Texas. Dan’s career took them to several locations and eventually to Hobbs, New Mexico. While living in Hobbs, Dolly and Dan accepted the responsibility of raising her nieces, Betty Jean and Shirley Anne Smith. A few years later, the Gilletts adopted two sons, Joe and Tom. The family were members of First United Methodist Church in Hobbs.
After Dan’s death, Dolly moved with her sons to Midland, Texas where she worked for First National Bank and later for All State Insurance. She met and married Herman Mason and together they managed an addiction recovery living facility on East Highway 80. In addition to her singing with the Midland/Odessa Symphony and Chorale, Dolly and Herman loved fishing on area lakes and rivers.
Rarely without a beaming smile, through her faith in Christ, she survived the struggles and sadness life can bring. One of her greatest gifts was sharing her beautiful singing voice with her friends at Polo Park Estates and at Midland Senior Citizens Center.
Dolly was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist and faithfully completed monthly Bible studies in both English and Spanish to help maintain her Spanish fluency. In addition to her family, Dolly is survived by Billy Bob, her 34-year-old Double Yellow Macaw parrot and by Mitzi, her Chihuahua/Maltese mixed dog.
Preceding her in death were her husbands, Dan Gillett and Herman Mason, her son, Thomas Michael (Tom) Gillett, and her sister, Katherine Louise (Kitty) Smith. She is survived by her son, Joe Gillett of Brownsville, Texas, nieces, Betty Jean Frazer and husband, Larry of Reklaw, Texas and Shirley Anne Moran of Cincinnati, Ohio, three grandsons, four granddaughters, and 16 great-grandchildren. Dolly is also survived by beloved nephew and niece-in-law, Jimmy and Brenda Smith, who provided wonderful care during her final years.
Family graveside rites will be conducted on a date to be announced with burial at Fairview Cemetery where Dolly will be interred next to her son, Tom. Memorial gifts may be directed to Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas Ave., Midland TX 79701 or to Casa de Amigos, 1101 Garden Lane, Midland TX 79701 and earmarked for the Senior Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com
Ethan Wills
left a message on December 15, 2021:
