Sage Mason

Sage Mason of Valparaiso, Indiana passed away on January 5th, 2025, after a brief illness. Born Susan Sage Kelly on November 20, 1938, to parents Peyton and Marguerite Kelly in Germantown, Pennsylvania. The family relocated a few times to support Peyton’s architectural career and ultimately settled in Chagrin Falls, Ohio where Sage grew up and attended High School. Here, her mother, Marguerite, founded The Sassy Kat consignment store in 1967, which is known for donating nearly $400,000 to non-profit organizations. Sage studied Journalism at Oberlin College, graduating with the class of 1960 where she earned a Masters degree. While attending Oberlin Sage met and married Jeremy Robinson of University Heights, Ohio. They later relocated to Cincinnati and then to Summit, New Jersey where they raised three children. Sage's love of education led her to teach Journalism, Speech, and English at various Colleges including Oberlin in Ohio, and Seton Hall University and Kean College in New Jersey. Following her passion for civil rights Sage became a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Through the early 1970’s she took her children by bus to several Peace marches in Washington, D.C. Sage took action locally in New Jersey to support the Fair Housing Act of 1968, helping prove in court that landlords were discriminating against minorities. She also continued giving to her community by working in halfway houses for the developmentally challenged. In 1991 Sage married Philip Hammond Mason, a retired Air Force Major and pilot. The couple relocated to Marble, North Carolina where they built a home. Here, she dedicated her time to recovery programs, ultimately spending 30 years guiding others on their journey to sobriety. The couple became a well-known fixture in the Hayes Valley area where Sage continued donating her time to recovery groups. We lost Phil in 2008. Some years later Sage met and partnered with Arthur “Art” Mathier, a retired New York City police officer and they spent 13 wonderful years together before Art passed in 2020. Sage is survived by her three children, Leslie Regino, Jennifer Robinson, and Daniel Robinson as well as four grandchildren, Tyler Regino, Madeleine “Billy” Wellman, and Sean & Meghan Robinson. Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, Crown Point, IN, entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Sage Mason

November 20, 1938 - January 5, 2025