WAVES – AnnRose Mason Drain, 86, of Waves, NC, passed away on March 10, 2017, athome, surrounded by family. Daughter of Gladys Imogene Davis and JohnRobert Mason, Ann grew up in Baltimore, MD, spending summers with herDavis relatives in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Ann graduated MountSaint Agnes High School in Baltimore, then received her nursing degreefrom Mercy School of Nursing and became an RN in 1954.
She married the love of her life, Donald P. Drain, the same year. Theyeventually settled in Calvert County, MD. She worked for many years atCalvert Memorial Hospital, and was later recruited to build the staffof the new county jail in the 1970s. She had great stories from bothplaces; she thoroughly enjoyed her nursing career.
Several years after she and Don retired, they built a house,‘Brigadune,’ in the Outer Banks of NC. Ann was known for speaking hermind, drinking manhattans, and helping her community in a variety ofroles. She helped establish a recycling program and volunteered forover 20 years at the Hotline Thrift Shop in Rodanthe. She loved solvingthe daily crossword puzzle in ink, planting flowers, catching andeating crabs, fishing, and collecting shells. Her favorite pastime wasreading. She loved life, especially life on the beach! A perfect daywas filled with family, sunshine, breakfast with blueberries, and crabsand beer for dinner! Ocean Annie was a force to be reckoned with,whether indoors playing scrabble or cards, or outside playing cornhole. She delighted in winning, and loved playing games with hergrandchildren. It was rare to be victorious against Grand Ann! She hadan irreverent sense of humor and an indefatigable spirit. She was proudof her two cross-country trips with a camper that she never backed up.Her six-week exploration of New Zealand was a dream fulfilled. She wasblessed with many great friends, some of whom called her every day.
She is survived by daughters Dona Ross (Richard, d.), Robin Duguid,Peggy Irvine, Katie Bryant (Dave), and Christine Meinhardt (Henry), 11grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her loving husband anddaughter Jean preceded her in death.
She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. An OceansideCelebration of Ann’s life will be held June 25th. In lieu of flowers,donations may be made to Outer Banks Hotline, 24293 NC 12, Rodanthe, NC27968 or Dare County Hospice, P.O. Box 669, Manteo, NC 27954.
