Mark Stephen Mason MD

Dr. Mark Stephen Mason passed away on Monday, March 26th at his home in Haymarket, Virginia, with his family at his side: his wife of 39 years, Dr. Marsha Mason, his two daughters, Kelly Mason and Allison Mason Diamond, and his son, Dr. Mark Stephen Mason, Jr. After he was diagnosed with liver cancer, he fought with courage and determination for every month of his life. Mark was born on March 30, 1947 in Washington, D.C. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles N. Mason and Mabel Mason, and is survived by all three of his older brothers: Charles “Chuck” Mason, Gary Mason, and Kent Mason. Even as a young boy, Mark knew that he wanted to be a doctor. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University, he completed his surgical internship and then Masters in Surgery at the University of Virginia, then completed his surgical residency and vascular surgery fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he met and fell in love with Marsha, a pediatric resident who would become his wife a year after they met. Mark practiced as a general surgeon for 30 years—he was known not only for his skill in the operating room, but for the compassion, kindness, and humor that he showed his patients. Mark embraced being a physician as an opportunity to help people. Before his residency, he spent several months on a medical mission in Kenya. Once he “retired” from practicing medicine, Mark again offered his time and expertise for free, serving on the board and volunteering both locally, at the Prince William Free Clinic, as well as internationally, with Medical Missionaries. He made the long trip to rural Haiti several times, caring for people and performing surgeries in one of the poorest parts of the world. Mark adored the outdoors, especially the mountains. Though he traveled all over to behold the world’s wonders, there were two places that held special significance in Mark’s heart: his family’s cherished property in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he built his dream cabin six years ago, and Montana, where he traveled every year without fail to visit longtime family friends, keep his hunting skills sharp, and ride his dun paint horse, Libby. Mark’s passions were many and varied: he was a longtime hunter, which he loved primarily because it fulfilled his desire to be outside and quietly observe his favorite animals; an avid collector of “cool stuff” including coins, pocket watches, and vintage books; an insatiable reader who could share both the most arcane details and helpful advice on everything from American history to nature to medicine to the financial markets. Though he had many passions, Mark’s greatest love was his family. His approach to being a father was t give his daughters and son every opportunity to thrive and pursue their dreams—and while he never told them which path to take, his children cherished his perspective, advice, thoughtful words and memorable hugs. He traveled all over the world, sometimes with his kids but always with his wife at his side. In the last two years alone, Mark and Marsha traveled to Iceland, French Polynesia, the Caribbean, the Pacific Northwest, Niagara Falls, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and Kentucky horse country. In the last year of his life, Mark walked both of his daughters down the aisle to marry their husbands. He was a one-of-a kind husband and father: dedicated, funny, strong, and kind. Services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Haymarket, Virginia at 3 PM on Sunday, April 1st. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark’s memory to the Inova Schar Cancer Institute at the Inova Health Foundation, the Prince William Area Free Clinic, or the Shenandoah National Park Trust.

Mark Stephen Mason MD

March 30, 1947 - March 26, 2018