JEAN SINGLEHURST MASON
1926-2003

Life in wheelchair did
not slow activist for disabled

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By Mary Adamski
madamski@starbulletin.com

Jean Singlehurst Mason was partially paralyzed with polio as a young woman, but life in a wheelchair didn't daunt her.

She became an activist on behalf of disabled people, lobbying for removal of barriers and creation of handicapped parking stalls more than 30 years ago.

"As a member of the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, you have helped lay the groundwork for many of its programs and objectives," said then-Gov. George Ariyoshi in a 1976 proclamation. "You have performed a very valuable and commendable service to the people of Hawaii, especially during the committee's formative years."

Born in 1926, Mason died Monday in Straub Hospital at the age of 76.

She was born in San Francisco and grew up in Hawaii, the daughter of the late Thomas and Carol Singlehurst, a co-founder of Carol & Mary clothing store. She worked as personnel administrator in the shop and, after moving to California in 1976, was employed in the Hewlett Packard corporate office in Palo Alto.

She returned to Hawaii in 2000 after the death of her husband, Dr. Carl Mason.

She contracted polio in 1954. She was named Hawaii Polio Mother of the Year in 1956. She served as chairwoman of the Committee on Architectural Barriers for Abilities Unlimited in 1970 when it was concerned that Aloha Stadium be built with access for the disabled. She was a volunteer fund-raiser for the March of Dimes.

Mason attended Punahou School, Palo Alto High School, Dominican College and was a graduate of Stanford University.

She is survived by son Michael; daughters Lynn Mason Haia and Jeanne Chasey; sister Gay Singlehurst Fraser; and six grandchildren.

Burial will be private. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to March of Dimes, 1451 S. King St., Honolulu 96814.