Alison May Mason

Alison May Mason, our ray of sunshine in human form, passed away peacefully in her home in the arms of her loving husband, Mike, on Saturday, September 14. 

Born in Payson, Utah on October 26, 1977, to Randy and Sue Benson, Alison was given the nickname “Suni” right from birth. Suni was raised in Bountiful, Utah and loved it so much she created a fulfilling life there, where her family still resides. 

Suni graduated from Bountiful High in 1995, and then attended both Ricks College and the University of Utah earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Amidst her college education, she served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Cleveland Ohio Mission. She loved “The Ohio” and the opportunity to share her faith and put her innate desire and ability to serve to good use. Suni had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and serving in the historic sites of Kirtland was a special experience for her, strengthening her testimony more each day.

Once home from her mission, Suni was the most eligible bachelorette and was being lined up with many, but after one date with Michael Mason she instantly made the decision that he was the one for her. She had him at “Hello.” Their courtship was filled with fun and passion. It quickly turned to a magical engagement and marriage six months later where the fun and passion continued.

Suni married the love of her life on March 22, 2001 in the Salt Lake Utah Temple. Suni had the good fortune of stepping into motherhood right away to Mike’s son, Jacob Michael. Soon after, Suni and Mike had three more sons, Maxwell Thomas (2003), Lucas Jay (2006), and Benjamin Edgar (2010) join their family. Suni’s nurturing heart and feminine energy was the perfect ingredient to balance a household of boys. Whether it be hunting, fishing, Legos, wrestling, baseball, or anything in between, Suni was the biggest cheerleader and supporter of all the activities the Mason family enjoyed - even the horses!

Despite being surrounded by boys at home, Suni spent many years in service to the Young Women in her ward and stake and was able to lend her motherly love to each of them. They were just as much of an influence on her as she was to them. In addition to her service to the Young Women, she also served her neighbors, friends, her children’s schools, and community. She was hands-on with the wrestling programs at Millcreek Junior High and Bountiful High School. She hosted an annual Halloween party in her driveway, complete with the Headless Horseman, that everyone looked forward to each year. She showed up for everyone and everything in a big way, often putting others before herself, and truly enjoyed serving everyone in her life. 

Suni was FUN. She was always up for an adventure or down for a good time. She was easy going, good natured, and brought a special spark to every experience. She hated wind unless she was riding a roller coaster or on a boat. She loved to spend time in Flaming Gorge, traveling the world (especially Hawaii), getting together with the girls - both sisters and friends, and hunting for a good bargain. If she wasn’t out and about, she could be found at home piecing together a puzzle, taking apart and transforming old furniture into new, and spending valuable time with her boys.

Summer of 2023 brought some challenging news for Suni and her family to face. She was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Carcinoma, a rare form of cancer. While it wasn’t the news wanted nor expected, Suni faced this challenge with a positive mindset and optimism. She had countless appointments, scans, blood draws, infusions, surgeries, days in the hospital, and hours sick in bed. She lived through these moments with love and gratitude for each day. She expressed that even though her body was so physically ill, her mind was the healthiest it had ever been. She was grateful that her diagnosis forced her to slow down, savor each moment, and expressed that it brought her family even closer together than they already were. She took her journey and turned it into her purpose, sharing her story for thousands via Instagram, @_suni.days_. Her authenticity and willingness to share vulnerably influenced so many. She received hundreds of messages from friends and strangers about how she had changed the way they chose to live their own life. Her unwavering faith and inner knowing assisted her through her battle over the past year. She often said, “There is always good, even in the hard.” Her example will live on reminding us all to see the good. 

Suni was like a solar panel, absorbing so much sunshine and turning it into the most beautiful, powerful energy. This energy contained the special Suni touch. She could take old furniture and make it a masterpiece. She would take an idea for girls camp and have every lesson, theme, and logo tied in and packaged perfectly. She could take any number of mismatched ribbons and make them look like they go together in a beautiful way. She would hunt for the most imperfect perfect Christmas tree each year and light every branch to magically shine. She took a difficult diagnosis and turned it into a community that prays and seeks miracles. She radiated Christ’s light. We all shine because of her. Suni truly lived up to her lifelong nickname. She maintained a “Suni” disposition of positivity and light, bringing sunshine to the lives of everyone. She lived in the energy of gratitude. She was always quick to point out the bright side to any situation, reminding us that everything has a silver lining if we choose to look for it. We will always think of her as we look to the sun and bask in its warmth knowing that she has been such a big part of our lives.

Suni. Mom of boys. Wife of cowboy. Thrifter, sewer, creator, custom upholsterer, vintage lover. She will be forever greatly missed by her adoring husband, Mike, wonderful children, Jake (Medina), Max (Kina), Luke, and Ben. She will also be dearly missed by her parents, Randy and Sue Benson, her siblings, Marisa (Eric) Bills, Doug (Lindsay) Benson, and Janetha Benson, as well as her loving in laws Pat and Cliff Johnson, Lori Smith, Doug (Gel) Mason, Steve (Leslie) Mason, Tiffani (Jason) Vriens and many nieces and nephews who loved her very much.  

Alison’s funeral service will be held Saturday, September 21st at 11:00 a.m. at her church meetinghouse located at 455 South 1200 East in Bountiful, Utah. There will be a viewing Friday, September 20 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and one before the service from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the same location. 

The service will be live streamed on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page. 

In lieu of flowers, donations via Venmo to @sunidays are welcome and appreciated!