Ona Masters Of Southampton Dies October 11

Ona Masters

Ona Masters died on Thursday, October 11, the result of smoke inhalation suffered in a fire at the Southampton home she shared with her daughter, Margery. She was 95.

Born on August 31, 1917, in North Tonawanda, New York, she loved camping and Scouting as a child. She remembered many songs she learned at that time and sang them with gusto until her death.

Ms. Masters proudly became the first member of her family to earn a college degree, graduating from Buffalo State College with a degree in math. Later on in her career, she earned a master’s degree in mathematics education. She taught on Grand Island near Buffalo, until she married Arnold Masters in 1948. Then she moved with him to Southampton when he was offered a position to teach art in the Southampton Public Schools. When her youngest child entered school, she went back to the classroom, teaching math in Eastport and Riverhead until her retirement in 1985.

The Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State was a professional group that occupied a great deal of her energy. She gladly engaged in many activities, but her real love was selling books and games for the group’s scholarship fund. Many young math teachers benefitted from her work. The association awarded her with the Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor for members that never held a major office in the group.

Ms. Masters loved gardening. It was always a great day when she could harvest a vegetable or beautiful flower grown by her hard work. She also loved sewing and knitting. There were many Easter Sundays when her daughter remembers wearing new clothes designed and sewn by her mother.

She was never happier than when she was surrounded by people to talk with. To the end of her life, she looked forward to evenings out, having dinner in a local restaurant. She discovered to her great joy that one of the waiters in her favorite restaurant shared her birthday. She made sure to include him in her celebration.

She loved to watch professional tennis and spent many hours playing at her son’s tennis club. She was a great sports fan, excited and happy when the Olympics were being held. For the last six years of her life, she enjoyed discussing the mysteries of life with her caregiver, Mattye.

In her spare time, Ms. Masters enjoyed her work at the First Presbyterian Church in Southampton. For many years, she directed the Christmas Pageant with full costumes and makeup. She was an active and enthusiastic member of the Presbyterian Women’s Association and was also the Sunday School superintendent. For the last three years of her life, she was a member and regular Sunday fixture at the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church. Her faith helped her to accept the challenges of getting older.

Ms. Masters was predeceased by her husband, Arnold. She is survived by her daughter, Margery; her son, Paul and his wife Di; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on November 3 at the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m.