Gladys Hunt-Mason

After graduating from McKeesport High School in 1959, Gladys started her working career with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. After a few years, she was hired by the City of McKeesport as a clerk in the City Assessor’s office. After marriage and the birth of her daughter, Gladys decided to pursue higher education, first obtaining an Associate’s Degree from Community College of Allegheny County. She transferred to Duquesne University, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 1976. Fifteen years later, she beamed with pride as her daughter, Susan, also graduated from her alma mater with a Bachelor’s in Communications. With her degree in hand, Gladys began her journalism career, starting out as a desk assistant with ABC Pittsburgh affiliate WTAE-TV, Channel 4 News. Throughout her 25-year career with the station, she received several promotions, becoming a producer and assignments editor. After retirement, Gladys found her fourth career as a hostess for Stiffler’s Funeral Home, providing care and comfort to those dealing with the loss of family and friends.

In 1992, Gladys faced her first battle with breast cancer. Through WTAE’s involvement with the Race for the Cure, Gladys became a life member of the National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh Section, organizers of the annual Pittsburgh event. As a five-year survivor, Gladys achieved her “15 minutes of fame” as Ms. April in the 1998 Soul Survivor Calendar.

In 2018, Gladys began her second battle with breast cancer. She again used her face to bring attention to breast cancer awareness. In June 2019, Gladys’ image appeared on a billboard in her hometown of McKeesport. Sponsored by the Allegheny County Breast Consortium (ACBC), the billboard was visible when crossing the Jerome Street Bridge leading from the city’s downtown area. Appearing for the entire month, the billboard reminded women to get their mammograms, especially African American women in the McKeesport area.

Being thankful for the extended leases on life, Gladys thought it was important to give back to her community. Gladys served on the Advisory Board of the McKeesport Salvation Army Corps for more than 30 years and was a member of the McKeesport Area Ministerium. She was a member and active volunteer with the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center and volunteered as collections manager, as well as public relations for the McKeesport International Village. Gladys was an administrator for the Charles F. Peters Foundation and was a member of the advisory board of the McKeesport Community Fund.

Prior to her death, Gladys was a member of the Anglican Church of Incarnation in Pittsburgh, PA where she served on the vestry, was a member of the choir, a chalice bearer and was part of the prayer team. Gladys was a former member of both St. Paul AME Church and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, both in McKeesport, where she served in various church roles including a term as Senior Warden at St. Stephen’s. She is also fondly remembered as the dining room coordinator for St. Stephen’s annual Lenten fish fries.

She has served on two commissions for the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh; the Commission for Biblical Literacy and the Commission for Racial Harmony. As part of a certified team conducting anti-racism workshops for clergy and lay leaders in the diocese, Gladys produced a video used in conjunction with the training entitled “Breaking down the Walls”.

Left to cherish her memory are husband, Gordon M. Mason, Jr. of White Oak, PA; daughter, Susan Lynne of Pittsburgh, PA; sister, Norma Smith of Detroit, MI; brother, Terrance Hunt of New York City, NY; stepmother, Theresa Mack Hunt of Johns Island, SC; nieces, Carmen Campbell (Cederick), Adrienne Bush both of Detroit, MI, Donna Miles (Jeffe) of Wilmington, NC; nephews, Gordon Bush of Pittsburgh, Nathan Hunt III (Rosylan) of Fayetteville, NC, Frank Bush of Detroit, MI; beloved aunt, Delores Nelson of Reston, VA; cherished friend, Karen Allen of Pittsburgh, PA; honorary grandsons, Yousef and Rayan Dhaher of Namur, Belgium; other uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Nathan Hunt, Jr.; nephew, James Carl Bush; and cousin, Paulette Hayes.

Should friends desire, the family requests donations be made to the African American Women’s Cancer Support Group of Cancer Bridges of Pittsburgh, www.cancerbridges.org. Be sure to include, “In memory of Gladys Hunt-Mason” to ensure donations are routed to the group.

Family and friends will gather on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177). Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 220 Eighth Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132.