Hallie G. Mason

Hallie Mason (nee Deems) left us September 11, 2017, surrounded by loved ones. She was born November 11, 1956, of loving mother, Josephine (nee Wells), and father, Charles R. (Jiggs) Deems. Raised in Uhrichsville, she went to Claymont High School, and later attended Kent, Ashland, and Franciscan Universities. Hallie learned much about medicine and about life from her beloved stepfather, Thomas E. Ogden, M.D., while working in his family practice office for many years. At the same time, she also worked for Hospice of Tuscarawas County and in the emergency department of Twin City Hospital.

Hallie became a nurse practitioner in May of 2000 and worked at Akron City Hospital/Summa for 17 years. During that time, she helped to build a renowned palliative care service and fellowship program. “Mama Mason” nurtured many nurses, medical students, residents, and fellows at Summa.

Hallie's grandmother, Glenna Peoples, fostered in her a spirit of independence and a love of nature which years later developed into a passion for birding. Because of her love of birding, she traveled the world: Scotland, Trinidad, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Madagascar, South Africa, and much of the United States. In birding circles, she is well known for her volunteer work at Black Swamp Bird Observatory, and in the local Amish community as a proficient birder/mentor and as a former hospice worker. All who knew Hallie appreciated her keen intelligence, caring professionalism, and vibrant personality.

She is survived by her sisters, Sally (Denny) Mogyordy and Molly (Karl) Milam, brothers John (Elaine) and Zack Deems; stepmom, Gay Ries; nieces and nephews; long-time partner, Steve Clarke; and her beloved ‘evil twin’ Kathy Perna.

A celebration of Hallie’s Life will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2017, from 2-7:00 p.m. at Creekside Community Center, 1098 Hickory Dr. SW, Sugarcreek, OH 44681. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Hallie’s name to one of the following: Black Swamp Bird Observatory, 13551 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449 (www.bsbo.org); or, Blast GlioBlastoma, 2383 S. Main St., Suite D-106, Akron, OH 44319 (www.blastgbm.com). The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover are handling arrangements. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Hallie may do so by visiting the online obituaries link on the funeral homes website.