Victoria Ann Mason

Victoria A. “Vicky” Mason, 67, of Arlington, VA, died October 3rd, 2018.  A resident of Arlington since the 70’s, Mason was previously Editor in Chief of Telecommunications Reports International (TRI) where she began as an Associate Editor in 1974.

Vicky was the first-born child of Karl Kreisler and Catherine Mitchell Mason (deceased), formerly of Snow Creek, VA.  She grew up in Collinsville, VA, and was a 1969 graduate of Fieldale-Collinsville High School.  She received her undergraduate degree in Journalism from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN, worked there for the year following graduation, and then moved to Arlington where in 1978, she earned a Master’s Degree in International Communications from American University in Washington, DC.  During her undergraduate years, she also completed the Comparative Government Program offered through London School of Economics, in London, England.

Vicky was described as “a skilled journalist and editor,” as she tracked telecom policy, technology and business developments domestically and internationally; reporting on Federal and State policy and litigation.  She conducted in-depth interviews with industry leaders and policymakers in the telecom industry.  She was noted to be “guardian of TRI’s unbiased reporting of the telecom industry and mentor to others.”  She trained editorial staff and launched and edited several telecom journals during an era prior to the turn of the century when rapid change was occurring in the telecommunications industry. 

Her love of travel took Vicky to what became her favorite places:  Peru, Greece, and New Mexico, often hiking and experiencing these places “up close.”  Other places to which she traveled include China (where she had an emergency root canal without anesthesia), England, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Russia, Cuba (on a humanitarian trip by bicycle), Mexico, and Thailand.  She floated on the Amazon River in Ecuador, where she studied herbal medicine with a local practitioner.  She “endured” scuba diving for the education and thrill of it, though she had a secret fear of the water. 

Vicky had an imaginative sense of humor and adventure; dedication to work, her family and friends; and an intense life-long regard for the News.  She was certified in Reiki.  She loved music, art, writing and photography, using her own dark room at one time.  She was a volunteer with “Friends for Kids” program through Northern Virginia Family Services, offering personal growth opportunities and emotional support for children in need.

Surviving Vicky is a brother, Karl K. Mason, Jr. of Salem, VA; one sister, Flora Mason Diehl of Collinsville, VA; nieces Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Johnson, Melissa Ellen Hopkins, and Sarah Lynn Carroll; two great-nieces and a nephew; many cousins; and friends and associates located throughout the United States and abroad. 

A Celebration of Life Dinner will be held at Atlantis Restaurant, located in the Bradlee Shopping Center, 3654 King Street, Alexandria, VA  22302, on Friday, November 9th, at 7:00 pm. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Vicky’s hometown on Sunday, November 18th, at 2:00 pm at Piedmont Arts, 215 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, VA  24112 with visitation and reception following. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Victoria’s memory to the organization listed below.

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