Alyce F. Mason, 97, of Leawood, KS, died March 26, 2026, after a long, happy life. Alyce grew up in Independence, MO, the only daughter of Clio H. and Hildagard M. (Casper) Fawkes. She was a devoted big sister to Gary Sellens Fawkes, her much younger adopted brother. After graduating from William Chrisman High School in 1947, Alyce attended the University of Kansas. She was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design.

During her first semester on campus, Alyce met Lawrence, KS, native and fellow KU student, Jim Mason, who became the love of her life. They married in 1949. As the setting of their courtship and newlywed years, KU earned their lifelong affection and support. Two years after graduation, Alyce and Jim bought their first home in Prairie Village, KS. Daughter Cheryl was born in 1954, and daughter Suzanne completed the family in 1961.

Alyce was friendly, talented, and generous. She gracefully hosted extended-family gatherings and get-togethers with neighbors and friends. She shared her creativity as a frequent room mother at Ridgeview Elementary, and taught children’s after-school art classes in her home. Cheryl and Suzanne were the beneficiaries of her imaginatively themed birthday parties and the inventive Halloween costumes she crafted. In recent years, Alyce would bake holiday treats for the children on her block, and deliver home-cooked meals to friends who were ill or recuperating. Throughout her life, she loved growing and arranging flowers, baking picture-perfect pies, and decorating for ALL holidays.

Alyce’s career reflected her versatility and eye for design. In the 1960s, she decorated for large corporate events around Kansas City. In the 1970s and ’80s, she sold real estate with the Paul Hamilton Company. While previewing a Leawood house for a potential buyer, Alyce realized it would be the perfect home for her own family, and so it was... for the next fifty years!

An avid KU and Chiefs fan, Alyce was known for putting together elaborate tailgate parties. She would dress in team colors on every game day, even when only watching on TV. With their fondness for socializing, she and Jim also enjoyed travels sponsored by the KU Alumni Association, and membership in Leawood and, later, Hallbrook country clubs.

But, by far, Alyce’s greatest joy in her later years was being an active and involved grandmother, “GiGi,” to Paige and Mason Kerley. She loved traveling with them when they were young, and spending as much time as possible with them as they grew up. As adults, Paige and Mason doted on their Gigi, understanding how lucky they were to have her as their grandmother.

Alyce was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, James G. Mason, in 2018. She will be fondly remembered by her daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Jeff Morgan of Prairie Village, and Suzanne and Ed Kerley of Leawood, and her grandchildren Paige Cordes and husband Paul of New Orleans, LA, and Mason Kerley of Leawood. A family graveside service was held at Corinth Cemetery in Prairie Village.