Celebrating the Life of Carol Mason

It is with a very heavy heart that I share the sad news of the passing of one of the Annapolis Pickleball Club’s original and most beloved members, Carol Mason, who passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026, following an abrupt downturn in her previously managed cancer.

Carol lived an extraordinary and wonderfully full life. She was a devoted mother, an accomplished professional, a cherished friend, and, to so many of us, a treasured member of our APC pickleball family.

For those who had the privilege of knowing Carol, you know she brought something special to everything she did. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a warm personality, and a competitive spirit that made playing pickleball with her so much fun. She loved the game, loved competing, and most of all, loved the friendships and camaraderie that pickleball created.

Carol’s impact on the Annapolis Pickleball Club extends far beyond the court.

As many of our longtime members will remember, Carol was instrumental in helping advocate with the City of Annapolis for the installation of dedicated outdoor pickleball courts at Truxtun Park. She worked to help make pickleball more accessible to Annapolis residents and to provide our growing community with a place we could call home.

Today, those courts have become the de facto home of the Annapolis Pickleball Club. Every time we step onto those courts, we will be reminded of Carol and the important role she played in helping make them a reality.

Carol was also an accomplished competitor. Earlier this year, she and her doubles partner and good friend, Joy Goldberg, represented APC at the 2026 Maryland Senior Olympics, competing in the Women’s Doubles 3.5 Skill Level, Ages 70–79 Division.

Facing some of the region’s top senior athletes, Carol and Joy demonstrated the teamwork, determination and competitive spirit that exemplify the very best of APC. Their impressive performance earned them a Silver Medal—an accomplishment Carol was incredibly proud of.

Her achievement was more than a medal. It was a wonderful reflection of Carol’s passion for the game, her determination and her belief that you are never too old to compete, challenge yourself and enjoy the friendships that pickleball brings.

Read Carol’s obituary⁠

Honoring Carol’s Legacy

Because of Carol’s extraordinary contributions to APC and to the Annapolis pickleball community, the APC Board is planning to name one of our Truxtun Park pickleball courts in her honor and install a memorial bench plaque recognizing her legacy.

We hope to hold an informal dedication ceremony at Truxtun Park where we will unveil the court signage and memorial plaque. We plan to have music, light refreshments, and, most importantly, an opportunity for Carol’s pickleball family, friends and loved ones to come together and celebrate her life.

Once a date has been finalized, I will send another announcement inviting APC members, Carol’s family and her many friends to join us.

I have also been in contact with Carol’s son, Chet, who shared that the family is working with the Naval Academy Memorial Service to arrange a memorial service for Carol. I will share those details with the APC membership as soon as they are available.

A Final Tribute to Carol

Carol was one of those special people who helped shape not only the Annapolis Pickleball Club, but the community that surrounds it. Her contributions, her friendship, her laughter and her love of pickleball will not be forgotten.

The next time you play at Truxtun Park, take a moment to remember Carol. Think about the role she played in helping bring those courts to our community—and remember the joy she brought to so many of us on and off the court.

On behalf of the 1,200+ members of the Annapolis Pickleball Club, I extend our deepest condolences to Carol’s children, family and friends. We hope that the wonderful memories you shared with Carol—and the knowledge of how much she meant to so many people—will provide some measure of comfort during this very difficult time.

Carol may no longer be with us on the court, but her legacy will live on every time we gather at Truxtun Park to play the game she loved.

With deepest sympathy and respect,

Peter Gaviorno
President
Annapolis Pickleball Club