Biography: (Ruth) Irene Kelly Mason passed away peacefully on January 29, 2010, following a long illness. Irene died as she had wished – at home, surrounded by caring friends. Irene was born in Grape, Arkansas, (now part of Benton) on December 29, 1915, the second child of Tony Kelly and Virginia “Jennie” Dodson Kelly. The family lived on a farm that had been a wedding gift from Irene's grandparents Clayborn Dodson and Virginia Blackwell Dodson. Irene and her older brother Houston Dodson Kelly were soon joined by two younger sisters, (Alice) Marie Kelly and Lida “Pete” Kelly. When Irene was 7 her beloved mother died of typhoid fever, and the 3 Kelly girls went to live with their late mother's sisters. When Irene reached the age of 13, her father Tony, who always remained close to his children, brought them all back together again on the farm, and Irene took on the work of keeping house for the entire family, while also attending school. She graduated from Benton High School in 1937. In 1947 Irene and her sister Marie ventured from Arkansas all the way to Rochester, New York, and were among the first dental hygienists trained at the Eastman Dental Dispensary School of Dental Hygienists. Irene and Marie were registered by the State of Arkansas in 1948. Equipped with professional credentials, Irene then worked for dentists in Little Rock, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in Houston, Texas. Throughout her career she was active in business and professional women's organizations and in the Eastman School of Dental Hygiene alumnae association. Irene loved to travel, often with Marie. Younger members of the family remember “The Aunts” venturing to many exotic locations. They were, for example, in Cuba when Fidel Castro took power. “Really messed up our tour,” Irene commented later. Many who remember Irene will also remember the gorgeous 7-foot sailfish she had caught deep-sea fishing, which hung in place of honor in the house. Irene become a serious self-taught investor, and by the time she married Carl Theodore “Ted” Mason, DVM, in 1967 had already laid the foundation of a considerable fortune, the majority of which she left to create scholarship funds at her alma mater and at his, the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. Ted shared Irene's love of fishing and other outdoor activity. She helped manage his veterinary practice, and thanks to Ted's international renown as a veterinarian, they also traveled widely in the US and abroad. Irene was cherished during her long life by many who enjoyed her wit, her company, and her ability to have a good time. She had a magnetic personality and continued to attract people and make new friends until the very end of her life. Irene was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ted Mason. She is survived by her niece Janis Kelly, of Ithaca, NY, her nephew Charles Anthony “Tony” Johnston, of Hahnville, LA, and her stepdaughters Pat Gasperson, of Dallas, TX, and Jody Fuller, of Smithville, OK. She is also survived by her grand-nieces Laura Johnston Barrow, of Houston, Texas, and Irena Nakry Kelly Rosenberg, of Ithaca, NY, and by her great-grandnephews Tony Barrow and Devin Barrow, of Houston, TX. Irene is also survived by her friends June McClain, Rosalind Fredeman, Keith James, Jon Stone, and Robin and Bryant Fuhrman. Friends and family will gather to celebrate the life of Irene Kelly Mason at 11:00am on Saturday, February 27, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 West 17 St., Little Rock, Arkansas. Arrangements are being handled by Ruebel's Funeral Home. Interment will be in a private burial at sea later in the year.