Mrs. Ann Mason Curwen

Mrs. Ann Mason Curwen, 86, passed away on December 17, 2005, in Oceanside, CA. She was born on September 18, 1919, in San Francisco, CA, to Bob and Mary Mason. Mrs. Curwen was a former resident of Fallbrook, CA, for eight years.

She was raised in Los Angeles, CA, the only child of adoring parents who sought the best for their daughter. She grew up in a comfortable home near MacArthur Park during the 1920s and enjoyed summers with her mother’s family in Carmel.

Her high school years were spent at Marlboro School, a distinguished girls’ academy in Los Angeles, where she was known for her poetry and art. She graduated in 1937 and spent the following year touring Europe with her aunt and uncle. Budapest was their base. Her photo album is an engaging chronicle of their adventures during the pre-war years.

Upon returning home, she worked as a stenographer for RKO movie studios. During this time, she met a man in 1942, Jim Curwen, who would become her husband. After a whirlwind romance, they were married in Carmel on July 4, 1943. He had just graduated as a second lieutenant from the US Army’s Officers’ Candidate School. It was a wartime marriage with Jim in Germany for two years. They were married for more than 62 years and Mrs. Curwen was a homemaker for those years.

Family was at the heart of who Ann was. She raised a daughter, Sally, and two boys, Bob and Tom, juggling responsibilities of school, planning summer vacations (to the beaches of Southern California and the High Sierras), hosting numerous parties and creating a warm and inviting home. She was also active in the sailing life with Jim, spending many weekends on their boat, the Sunbow, at Catalina Island.

Ann was also what could be called a professional volunteer, serving throughout her life the various communities where she lived. First, it was the Convalescent Aid Society, with its thrift shop on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, and the Altadena Library Association.

In Fallbrook, she was an active member of the Angel Society, the Fallbrook Music Society and volunteering at the Fallbrook Hospital as a Pink Lady.

Ann always had a love of dogs. When she and Jim moved to Ocean Hills, she trained Cher, a standard black poodle, to qualify to be a “Love on a Leash” dog. Up to twice a week, the two of them would join other members and their dogs and visit local convalescent homes and hospitals. Saturdays were often spent at the Carlsbad and Oceanside public libraries, working on an innovative program in which third-graders polish their reading skills by reading to dogs.

An accomplished hostess and a superb cook, Ann created a home for Jim and herself that was always gracious and generous to friends and family. Her Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas tables were set and prepared with both love and style, welcoming and inviting to everyone she knew and to those who were fortunate to be in her company.

Ten years ago, Ann was diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome, and like other aspects of her life, she showed tremendous strength, spirit and resolve to rise above this difficult disorder.

Mrs. Curwen is survived by her husband of 62 years Henry Curwen; daughter & son-in-law Sally & Jan Libourel, Long Beach, CA; sons & daughters-in-law Bob & Susan Curwen, Apple Valley, CA, and Tom & Margie Curwen, Long Beach, CA; six grandchildren, Darcy, Roselle, Vanessa, and Chelsea Curwen, Stephanie MacKanic, and James McCloskey; and two great-grandchildren, Sierra MacKanic & Chloe Curwen.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2006, at 11 a.m. at St. John Episcopal Church, Fallbrook, CA. Donations can be made to the Angel Society of Fallbrook, PO Box 1408, Fallbrook, CA 92088. Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary handled the arrangements.