Susanne Michelle Mason

March 3, 1978 – July 6, 2025

Susanne Michelle Mason, age 47, passed away unexpectedly on July 6, 2025, in her home in Vacaville, California. A fiercely unique and vibrant soul, Susanne lived a life full of color, humor, and strength. She embraced her quirks with pride and confidence, always daring to be different and never afraid to laugh.

Born on March 3, 1978, Susanne was the beloved daughter of Murena Jo Mason, whom she always called her hero. Their bond was unbreakable and deeply rooted in love. Throughout her life, Susanne faced many struggles, but she pressed on with a quiet fortitude that inspired those around her.

In her early years, Susanne was a talented and dedicated competitive ice skater. She competed at the national level in both Arizona and Chicago and was a proud member of the Sun Valley Seven. Her time on the ice was one of her greatest achievements, and she carried the passion of that experience with her throughout her life.

She was a devoted mother to her son, Kyle Valdez, and found immeasurable joy in being a grandmother to her sweet Ruby Jo Valdez. Her love for them was the centerpiece of her life. She delighted in simple pleasures: coloring, doing makeup, singing along to her favorite songs, and spending time with her cherished cats. She dreamed of traveling the world and used that dream as motivation to stay active and hopeful.

Susanne had a sometimes crude but always unforgettable sense of humor and never missed an opportunity to make someone laugh. In her final days, she was surrounded by the love and presence of her family and she knew she was supported and cherished.

Her son Kyle shares one of his favorite memories:

"I remember being 9 or 10 and walking to the store with her in the summer. We both had MP3 players and listened to music and sang a little on the way. I remember feeling the warmth of the sun while it was going down. It's one of the memories that's always stuck because it was a happy one."

Susanne was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Mason; her grandparents, Calhoun and Adeline Baird; and her sister, Rose Mason.

She is survived by her loving mother, Murena Jo Mason; her son, Kyle Valdez, and his wife, Megan Valdez; and her treasured granddaughter, Ruby Jo Valdez. She is also survived by her sister, Lisa Giannini; niece, Samantha Giannini; nephew, Thomas Giannini; aunts Donna Puckett, Carol Smith (Harry), and Kathy Hayes (Robert); cousins Megan West (Eric), Christine Brown (David), Erin Friedline (Bryan), Jeffrey Puckett, Anne Williams, and Ryan Hayes (Ashley Williams); and second cousin Gabriel Carrier (Melinda Carrier-Swenson). Her memory will also be carried on by her many extended family members and friends who loved her deeply.

Susanne will be remembered most for her unshakable strength, her love for her family, her creative spirit, and her ability to find light—even in the darkest of times.

A Graveside Service will be held for Susanne Mason on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. at the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery;

522 Elmira Road in Vacaville, California.