Coral Lee Mason (nee Briney)
July 24, 1933 – October 6, 2026
Coral was born in 1933 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Walter and Coral Briney. She grew up in Bridgman, Michigan, with sister Jean and brother Walt. She graduated from Bridgman High School in 1951 and received her Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan College (now University), where she studied with Owen Berger in preparation for her career as a piano teacher and accompanist.
Coral met fellow Western student Philip Mason when she was assigned as accompanist for his violin lessons. They were married June 12, 1955, and continued a rich collaboration that spanned over 70 more years. They were blessed with 4 daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Faith, music, and family were integral to Coral’s life. Her faith was exemplified by a lifetime of service to others and a hope in the promise of everlasting life through Christ. A longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albion, Michigan, Coral taught Sunday School, accompanied the choir, and played piano for many Sunday services with Phil on violin.
Coral was a piano instructor and staff accompanist at Albion College until her retirement in 1988. She played for vocal and instrumental lessons, choir rehearsals, and student recitals, providing encouragement and musical support to hundreds of students, many of whom became dear friends. She continued her piano studies with Eugene Bossart while accompanying Phil’s graduate recitals at the University of Michigan and worked with Joseph Gurt at Eastern Michigan University.
Coral was accompanist for the Albion Choral Society and performed on occasion with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, where Phil served as concertmaster. Summer engagements included playing keyboard with the Northwood Symphony and serving with daughter Kathy as an accompanist for the Interlochen Arts Camp High School Concerto Competition and the GM/Seventeen National Concerto Competition. She taught private students in her home, offering lessons at no charge to St. Paul families in hopes of training future volunteer musicians for the church.
She loved reading, especially with a child in her lap. She created cross-stitch masterpieces for each new grandchild and great-grandchild. She and Phil enjoyed many years of travel together, visiting family and friends, exploring Alaska, and traveling to Europe with family.
In addition to her parents and her sister Jean, Coral was preceded in death by her dear husband, Phil, and their beloved daughter, Kathy (Don) Hodges. She is survived by loving daughters (and sons-in-law) Jeanie (Tom) Whittle of Galesburg, IL, Susie (Mark) Engstrom of Buffalo Grove, IL, and Sandy Mason (Robert) Rivera of Medina, OH; grandchildren Brian (Betsi) Hodges, Stephen (Kendra) Whittle, Michael (Kyli) Whittle, Gregory (Megan) Whittle, Ben (Rachel) Whittle, David (Sarah Leahy) Whittle, Jonathan (Sydney) Whittle, Philip Engstrom, Marcus Engstrom, David Engstrom, Coral Ciupak, and BeBe Ciupak (Sebastian Stefanoff); great-grandchildren Clara Hodges and Harper, Margot, Winry, Luna, Sophia, Noah, Alex, Luke, Leo, Eli, Anthony, Milo, and Baby Whittle; brother Dr. Walter (Janie) Briney; and special nieces and nephews, Michelle (Jonathan) Deal, Christine (John) Salerno, David (Nancy) Briney, and Andy (Anne) Briney.
Coral’s family is deeply grateful for her church family at St. Paul in Albion; the staff of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Galesburg, IL; and the many dear friends who brought so much joy to her life.
A celebration of Coral’s life will be held on Saturday, November 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 100 Luther Blvd., Albion, Michigan, with visitation at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the church or the Susan G. Komen foundation.
