Behind the mask she is crying as much as I am on the inside, but just like me, she puts up the mask of the smile, so no one knows my deep, inner emotional pain and trauma?  
 
^___^ 
 
*worlds smallest piano and violin and triangle rap quartet starts playing in the background* 

So, now we know she's Marion, Hope's mother.

Ok so this question is over a year and a half old but I'm new here and just wanted to throw in on my inaugural post.

Yes it is indeed a mask & from what I understand reading through the current series It's more of a mockery of Lady Death, although if you have also followed the series you probably already know this and I have provided no real new info.