Carol I. Mason, scholar, teacher and dog person died on May 30, 2023. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. She received an Associate of Arts Degree from Jacksonville Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Florida State University. She went on to receive a Master's and PhD from the University of Michigan in Anthropology. Her field work and research took place in Florida and Georgia as well as while working for the National Park Service at Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon, Georgia. After marrying Ronald J. Mason in 1958, she relocated to Wisconsin, where she taught briefly at St. Norbert College and the University of Wisconsin Center in Green Bay before joining the faculty at the University of Wisconsin Fox Valley in Menasha. She remained at Fox Valley until retiring as full professor. At UW Fox Valley, she taught in the anthropology program, published in scholarly journals, and did archaeological field work. Her research home was Lawrence University, where she collaborated with her husband in field work, scholarly research, and publications. She was Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Lawrence after retiring from Fox Valley.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald J. Mason, and two children, Victoria Runnoe and Peter A. Mason; daughter-in-law Samantha S. Mason, and four grandchildren — Alexandra Runnoe, Samuel Runnoe, Robert Mason, and Matthew Mason. She is also survived by a sister, Joan P. Irwin, and many nieces and nephews. She is further survived by generations of Fox Valley and Lawrence students, who made her think, study, and always benefit from their questioning minds and stimulating presence — a university education goes both ways.

She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Kappa Phi; received the Increase A. Lapham medal for excellence in Wisconsin archaeology; and was a National Science Fellow at the University of Michigan. Carol was a life member of the Winnegamie Dog Club and a member of Wednesday Club, an Appleton book club.

The Winnegamie Dog Club was special for her. For many years she taught beginning obedience; served as chief ring steward at obedience trials; and trained her own dogs. Her border collies all earned AKC obedience titles, and she thoroughly enjoyed the people, dogs, and events of the dog community.

Carol Mason was not only a scholar but she was also a student of history; a lover of 19th century literature; an opera fan; and a lifelong cook. She baked her own bread, produced her own chocolates, enjoyed hosting dinners as a faculty wife and entertaining visiting scholars.

According to her wishes, there will be no services. Instead friends should drink a champagne toast to her memory and, if inclined, make a contribution to the Ronald J. and Carol I. Mason Fund for Excellence in Anthropology to support scholarly student research at Lawrence University or make a donation to the Door County Land Trust.