Memorial Tribute to our Red Tail Committee Member Gabrielle Mason. – 1960 – 2015

St. Paul of the Cross Monastery at Urrbrae, South Australia, overflowed with more than 400 people including family members, travel colleagues and friends, as they gathered to pay their final tributes to Gabby on Friday, February 13, 2015. Gabby’s loving and devoted husband Andrew, and their precious daughter Alexandra, each gave a very moving insight into their personal lives; - Life with a caring, fun-loving partner and exceptionally proud mother. Laughter, optimism, love of her family, lifetime friendship, love of God, determination and spirit were some of the tools she embraced to deal with her situation. There were many family members and friends on the day that shared their memories of her life. One poignant moment, was watching her nieces and nephews lovingly place a symbol of her life on a table set up at the front of the alter, as Father Hanns who officiated the main service, explained the meaning of each symbol.

1) Qantas aircraft model 2) Pink Gerbera flowers 3) her favourite Pink shoes 4) her

favourite family photo 5) St. Christopher’s Medal – (the patron Saint of travellers.)

Many of us affectionately remember Gabby in her early years of travel when she first worked with Phil Hoffman at Stewart Moffatt Travel, and then moved to APT, Trans Tours, Traveland, Jetabout, Qantas Holidays and finally with Qantas. Her eldest sister, Della, recalls that apart from her family and friends, Qantas was her life. Her older brother would try to bait her about Qantas service levels, and Gabby would “rise like a dragon with fire coming out of her nose” defending the airline. Despite the exhausting treatment and tests she endured with the cancer, Gabby was always positive and kept her sense of humour. On one occasion after losing her crowning glory and purchasing a “new look” auburn shaggy style wig, one travel agent commented: “Gabby, I love your new style and colour”, to which Gabby replied, “You can have it when I’ve finished with it”. Such was her “joie de vivre”.

Dedications and Tributes We would like to share with you some wonderful comments and recollections from colleagues interstate and overseas who knew her. “Who could ever forget Gabby’s interpretation of 1988 The Comedy Company character, Kylie Mole, which was portrayed by Australian actress, Mary-Anne Fahey. Gabby took off that character to a tee, with phrases such as ‘I go, I go, I go, or it’s SO EXCELLENT”. Gabby perfected the chewing gum, freckled, schoolgirl uniformed, bobbed haircut, bogun - She just gave you THAT LOOK and took off those images of “Kylie Mole” to perfection.” “Let’s hit the shops – the best therapy of all”. Bronte Sterk

“Thanks so much for your email. I worked with Gabby for a little while at Qantas Holidays (Viva & Jetabout) and she was a lovely lady indeed. Sad to hear this as I knew nothing of her having cancer at all as had lost touch over the years.” Jason Stratford, Vancouver, Canada

“Thanks Raf for the email. I have been very aware of Gabby’s journey and that it had ended last week. She was a dear, brave friend and left us far too young. Sadly I did not see her but I was able to say goodbye . Just so sad for Andrew and Alex. Love Maggie x” Maggie Bootsman (Currently in Dubai)

“Thank you very much for informing the QF reunion community regarding the passing of Gabby Mason. It is good of you to keep us all informed. It is incredibly sad such a beautiful and vibrant lady had to leave us so early. She will be sadly missed. I saw the beautiful photo of her and Greg Brown on Facebook recently when they caught up for the day. Gabby was always smiling. I will be away on holidays with my family on fri 13th feb so sadly I am unable to attend her funeral.” Sue Minns

“How sad I did not know Gabby that well but enjoyed our time with her at our great Red Tail re union. I am sure she will be remembered for her wonderful fighting spirit.Kind Regards”. Brian & Pamela Kirkham

“Thank you so much for advising everyone. I did not see it in the paper. You have advised the family and that is wonderful. I am glad we all had the opportunity to share time with her at the reunion and I will definitely attend her funeral to farewell that beautiful girl. Many thanks. Kind regards” Sue Boettcher

“Oh that is devastating. Thanks for letting us know. Just 54, poor Gabby and her poor family. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to attend last year and see her - although I never worked directly with Gabby in ADL I did know her indirectly and met her at conferences etc. Gabby always came across to me as a gentle, happy and sincere soul. I've let Alison Thomas (Virgin ADL, who worked with Gabby at QF North Tce) know the sad news. Your email was superbly expressed Raffy. Sincerely, Tony” Tony McGrath. Regional Manager WA/NT/SA. Virgin Australia Airlines”

“Thank you for sending this. I had heard the news and am so very sorry that I will not be able to make it. It was good to see Gabby in November and this is a reminder of why it is good for us to get together as often as we can. So thank you again for the efforts of all the team that put the event together and for letting us know about Gabby. Our thoughts are with her family. Ruth Grau, President, Springboard Vacations, Los Angeles.”

“This is such very sad news. I am deeply saddened and know that her loss will be felt by so many. She was indeed a fantastic vibrant woman, who cared so much for everyone. I did know she was sick but thought she was battling it well. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend her funeral, but will forward a donation to the Daw House Hospice Foundation in her memory. I do thank you for advising all her friends and colleagues in this way, Rafael, and your words certainly describe her well. Gabby, and her gorgeous smile and infectious laugh, will be sadly missed. I do trust her family are coping under these difficult circumstances. Kind regards”

Helen (Lees). Qantas - Adelaide Airport

I was fortunate to spend quite a lot of fun 'one on one' time with Gabby as we often travelled overseas together in our single days. On one of our trips to South America, we were on Copacabana Beach in Rio when we passed a beachside stall selling G -String swimwear. In her always cheeky and mischievous style, Gab looked at me with that twinkle in her eye and said 'dare you'! Within moments we had selected our purchases and noon our way to the nearest change room. I had a skimpy black swim brief and I will always remember Gab's bright fluorescent lime green G-String bikini. With very little covered, we proceeded hand in hand down Copacabana Beach, of course Gab just smiled at everyone we passed. NEVER dare Gabby, a lesson most of us learnt very early in our friendships. Another cheeky example that comes to mind is when we were on a cruise in the USA, in fact Gabby had just met Andrew prior to us leaving on this trip. I was going to the daily morning Aerobic Class when I told Gab that if I attended every day I would receive a T-Shirt and a beverage discount. Well, that was enough incentive for Gab and whilst she had no intention of getting out of bed in time to attend each day, she was determined on receiving the T-Shirt and Beverages.

So, she would attend for the last few minutes of each day's class just to be seen and have her name recorded and had great delight at the end in boasting that she never attended one class and received the freebies. Our girl always found a way! Gregory Brown – Qantas Cabin Manager

I have so many stories not sure where to start… so here goes J

On a sales call to the Harvey World Travel boys out in the Barossa (and approx. 7 months pregnant with Alex) she pretended that her waters had broken and had poor Mark and Adam running around madly trying to find clean tea towels and hot water – they had no idea! She gave them so much grief about that every time she saw them – they were in such panic they truly believed she was going to give birth right there in their office! I think they may have even given her a set of new tea towels when Alex was born! J

After a QF Christmas Party we went to drop Gabby off home (very pissy pants I might add) and after scrounging around in her pot plants to find her spare key with no luck we then drove her to where Andrew was celebrating at a friend’s birthday party – Jacqui Botroff and myself had to go into the party to find Andrew (as Gabby was in no state to walk at this stage) and when he came out he gave Gab a big kiss (not knowing that she had recently thrown up in the car park) – we were all squealing like hyenas and laughing so hard we were crying – whilst gabby laid in the back seat with the biggest grin on her face giggling away– hilarious!

At one of the travel agent conferences we attended in Adelaide – Gabby dressed up in her old lady bowling outfit and wheeled in a trolley with food – the agents had no idea it was her (at the time I was on stage telling everyone about the new inflight menus on QF) – so then Gabby handed out the new snack boxes to everyone – you should have heard the noise in the room once they knew it was Gabby and not some random old lady wheeling a tea tray in – very funny! She certainly loved a dress up.

We all have such great fun memories of Gabby that will last with us forever! Love to you all - Sandy x

Sandy Osborne – Helloworld

Family Tribute Gabby’s family summed up their thoughts at the service with the following treasured words. “Our Gabby exuded a joy for life and lived it to the fullest. Her spirit was inextinguishable and she will forever live on in our memories”

This memorial tribute to Gabby Mason has been prepared by Bronte Sterk for and on behalf of the Red Tail Reunion Committee and all its 194 members. Thanks to all those who sent us emails and attended Gabby’s service.