Kari Kay Mason

Kari Kay Terry Mason passed from her loving husband's arms to her Heavenly Father's early May 14, 2007 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Kari came into the world on March 27, 1968 in Walnut Creek, California immediately bringing beauty, charm and delight to all around her. Her family and siblings fell deeply and eternally in love with her, which would never change.
She remained in Concord, California until the age of 12 when she came with her family to Orem, Utah. Kari graduated from Orem High School in 1986. She had many diverse talents, interests and friends there with particular joy being found in the A'Cappella and Show and Chamber Choirs. She was remembered most for her humor, her talent and vivacious personality, her energy and her kindness.
Immediately after graduating, Kari spent a summer working at Disneyland Park. Making magic for others was always her specialty. She returned to Brigham Young University that Fall to study in the Travel and Tourism Department. She took a job at a local travel agency and served them with her characteristic enthusiasm and style. Within a short time she accepted a job with the Word Perfect Corporation (later to become Novell) in their sales department. Over the next 16 years, Kari gave her heart and soul to the company's success eventually becoming a part of Novell's education department as an event planner. Being naturally organized, a problem solver and a people lover, this was where she truly excelled. She traveled all over the world leaving her mark on all she encountered. Colleagues reveled in the opportunity to interact with her remarking on her dedication and commitment, her wit and strength and her patient and endearing personality.
Kari was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served others selflessly, always inspiring them to want to be better any way they could. She held many callings in her lifetime but was usually found working with the youth serving in Young Women's Presidencies repeatedly. As with all others she encountered, these youth were struck by her warmth, faith and commitment as well as her sincere desire to help them achieve their goals and strengthen their testimony of their Savior, Jesus Christ.
During her life, Kari was blessed beyond measure to be led to her remarkable and amazing husband, Evan Mason. He is Kari's equal in all of her outstanding qualities and loves her intensely. They were married May 1, 1999 and sealed as an eternal family in the South Jordan Temple December 22, 2001. Kari greatly enjoyed being a stepmother to Evan's two sons. After many years of unsuccessful attempts to have a child together, and even after chemotherapy and radiation treatments brought on premature menopause, Kari and Evan found themselves completely stunned with the miracle of expecting a baby. News of returned cancer and necessary treatments brought them to their knees in faith and hope. After an apparent miscarriage and weeks of cancer treatments, Kari was told that she was still pregnant and the baby would likely have complications and not live longer than fifteen minutes. Undaunted, Kari went forth to carry her child determined to give her baby at least those fifteen minutes. She put aside all concerns for her own health to do so. She and Evan were blessed with a precious daughter who, against all odds, has fought her way to perfect health. She is a living miracle and reflects her mother's indomitable and tenacious spirit.
Kari's life is a story of tremendous love. It took only a few minutes with her to realize that you would love her and be loved by her forever. Those who had the opportunity to be touched by her life realize they have been blessed by heaven itself. She will be profoundly missed.
Kari is predeceased by her father, Jay Dewitt Terry. She is survived by her adoring husband Evan, her precious stepsons Tanner and Tate, and her beloved miracle daughter Ellie Kay as well as her mother, Marilyn Ethington, sisters Debra (Dufur), Cynthia (Sugrue), Gayle (Holdman), Tanya (Barkdull) and brothers, Curtis and Robert Terry.
Funeral services will be held 1t 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Lindon West Stake Center, 1040 West 1600 North, Orem. Friends and family may call at the church Thursday, May 17 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and again from 9:00 to 10:30 am on Friday preceding the services to honor Kari.
Kari will be laid to rest in the Orem City Cemetery.
A trust fund has been set up to specifically benefit Kari's daughter, Ellie. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to that fund at karimasonfund.org.
Kari's family would like to thank those who cared for her; Dr. Steven L. Berry (Family Doctor), Dr. Kent DiFiore, Rosemary McGee-Conder (Nurse Practioner) and the many nurses and employees from Utah Cancer Specialists and the wonderful staff of Hearts for Hospice for their loving care and support during her last week of life.