As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Judith “Judy” Mason Mayer, 87, of Hancock, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2026, at her residence, Portage Pointe, in Hancock.
Judy is survived by her son-in-law, William (Kathryn) Siskaninetz of Dayton, Ohio; granddaughter, Mary (Steven) Norinetz of St. Paul, Minnesota; grandson, John Siskaninetz of Athens, Ohio; brother, Charles “Punch” Mason of Colorado Springs, Colorado; niece, Monica (Michael) Allred of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and nephew, Timothy (Amy) Mason of Littleton, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carla Mason Siskaninetz; her mother, Katherine Mason; and her father, Rance Mason.
Judy grew up in Hancock, Michigan, where she spent her entire life and remained deeply connected to her family, friends, and the community she called home. She attended Hancock High School and graduated in 1960. She then attended Michigan Tech in business, graduating in 1964. She received her teaching certificate from Northern Michigan in 1965. She was married and had her daughter Carla. Judy and Carla moved back to Hancock where they resided with her parents who helped raise Carla. She taught English at St. Agnes. She then worked as a social worker in Houghton County before going to work for her Father, Rance Mason, co-owner of the Cooper Theatres, The Pic and The Lode. She worked alongside her father for 15 years until his death. She continued to manage the theatres for another 15 years until they were closed, at which time she retired. After retirement she was her mother’s caregiver.
Judy’s greatest accomplishments were less about titles or awards and more about the people and things she cared for the most. She built friendships that lasted for decades and was the kind of person whose presence was difficult to ignore and even harder to forget. Judy was very well known in the community and was very socially active.
Judy will be remembered for her unmistakable voice, her larger-than-life personality, her stories, her loyalty, and her strong opinions. She was feisty, occasionally mischievous, and never boring. She loved fiercely, cared deeply for her family and friends, and left behind enough stories to keep her memory alive.
A Mass for Judy will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 26, 2028 at the Church of the Resurrection with Rvverend Father Corey Litaner to officiate. Interment has taken place at the family lot at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting with the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
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