On Sunday, December 20, 2020, Ella Francine Talley Mason, affectionately known as Francine to her family and friends, transitioned from this earthly realm to her heavenly home to reap the rewards of God's promise. Thankfully, another one of God's angels received her wings. Francine was born on January 7, 1942, in Boston, MA to the late Colonel Frank Thomas Talley and the late Lillian Mayle Talley.

A Time to Learn: Francine, as a military child, lived in several places. In her early years she was educated in Japan, Germany, and at Fort Devens, MA. She spoke fluent Japanese, German, and Spanish. The family moved to Washington, DC in 1955 where she attended Theodore Roosevelt High School. She attended the District of Columbia Teacher's College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Master of Arts Degree in Library Sciences and Early Childhood Development. Throughout her life she was an avid reader and took ballroom dancing classes. She spent a summer with her friend Marta in Costa Rica for Spanish immersion, and in later years, she took several advanced levels of Spanish classes.

A Time to Love: Francine met and married the love of her life, the late Tyrone James Mason on February 20, 1965, and to this union, two children were born. Francine and Tyrone were high school sweethearts; she loved to watch him run track. Even though their marriage ended in divorce, they continued to co-parent and remained good friends until his death. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She truly loved her children Donna and David, her granddaughter Kindra, her daughter-in-law Hope, her brother Ronald, and her extended family.

A Time to Labor: Francine loved learning and made it her life's work to give the gift of learning to others, especially children. She was a hugger who believed that children needed hugs more than learning their ABCs. She worked in the District of Columbia Public School System as an elementary school teacher for 34 years. She taught kindergarteners and first graders at Raymond Elementary and West Elementary Schools. She retired in June of 1998. After retirement, she taught for a few years at the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. She lived in the Cameron Grove Senior Community and served as Secretary for Condo 4 and was a very active member of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) L'Enfant DC Chapter.

A Time to be Social: Francine was very outgoing, kind, loving to everyone, and had a gentle spirit. She had a good sense of humor and was always smiling. She loved to attend family gatherings and enjoyed meeting her Kinmount Road friends for breakfast. She also loved to eat at her favorite restaurant, RIP's. She loved her cats and wished her daughter-in-law shared the same love for them. (smile) She loved spending time with her children and granddaughter. In her later years, she attended the Joseph A. Gilmore Adult Daycare Center, where she expanded her social circle. She loved the music class, history class, and most of all, the bible study class.

Francine had a special relationship with her daughter, Donna. They shopped, went to dinner, and took vacations together. Francine had a special bond with her "little baby boy" David. She depended on him and trusted his advice. He is an excellent, self-taught mechanic and he made sure her car was always in tip-top shape. Both Donna and David were an excellent caregivers to their mother until the end. Kindra held a special place in her grandmother's heart. Francine taught her many things including the lost art of knitting. She was very proud of Kindra and always supported her endeavors. Francine had a special relationship with her daughter-in-law Hope. She trusted her wisdom, often sought her advice, and loved her cooking, especially her macaroni and cheese, lasagna, and homemade vegetable soup. Hope assisted with her care until the end.

Francine deeply loved her brother Ronald; they were kindred spirits. They loved to reminisce about things they experienced when they lived abroad and often spoke to each other in Japanese and German. When Francine's mother was about to give birth to Ronald, she asked Francine if she wanted a baby brother or sister. Francine said she wanted a sister. When her mother brought home a baby boy, Francine said "send him back!" Despite her initial surprise, she became his loving protector. He thought she was the best cook ever when she made him cinnamon toast with sugar.

She truly enjoyed and treasured her daily conversations with her best friend Joyce Mason. They enjoyed shopping trips to Catherine's that always ended with lunch at Red Lobster. They traveled locally, abroad, and were like sisters. After retirement, they enjoyed morning coffee at the gazebo and walks around Cameron Grove.

A Time to Mourn: She leaves to benefit from her legacy: her daughter, Donna Mason of Upper Marlboro, MD; her son, David Mason (Hope) of Clinton, Maryland; her granddaughter, Kindra Mason (Brian) of Edgewater, MD; her brother, Ronald Talley (Nelia) of Nanjemoy, MD; her brother-in-law, Joseph Mason (Joyce) of Washington, DC; and four sisters-in-law, Tijuana Fisher of Lanham, MD, Sandra Mason of Mitchellville, MD, Darlene McDonald of Glen Dale, MD and Nelia Talley of Nanjemoy, MD; her two god-daughters, Joy Mason (Garrett) of Clinton, MD; Candace Cofie (Kameo) of Laurel, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.


Francine's family and friends will miss her in this earthly realm, but as believers, we know that there is a promise of a sweet reunion in heaven that is everlasting. Thomas Moore said it best, "Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." Thoughts of Francine's life bring to mind a biblical passage quoting a message of perseverance from the Apostle Paul to Timothy: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV)