Helen Mott, a dearly beloved member of the Sautee-Nacoochee community, departed this
earth on December 14, 2019. She made her transition surrounded by loving family and
friends.
Helen was a first generation American born to the late Susanna H. and Paul S. Sirochman,
Sr. in Sharon, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1929. She was preceded in death by her
husband of 67 years, Jack C. Mott; daughter, Alice “Chris” Croslin; son-in-law, Paul
Croslin; and great-granddaughter, Piper Jean Needham.
She is survived by her son, William H. Mott of Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law,
Loretta and Greg Martin of Statham and Paula and Angelo Lembo of Clarkesville; eight
grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren.
When the Mott family lived in St. Petersburg, Florida, Helen was both a homemaker and a
medical assistant working with various physicians and hospital laboratories. Her children
remember well how their mother inspired them. She helped them to cultivate a spiritual
foundation based on gratitude and compassion; a love of nature and gardening; an
appreciation of classical music and the joy of playing musical instruments; an
understanding of the importance of service; and a love of reading and education. Helen’s
commitment to connecting children with books remained strong for the rest of her life.
After retiring to the Sautee-Nacoochee community in 1988, Helen became active in the
Friends of the White County Public Libraries, the League of Women Voters, and the
Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association (SNCA), which honored her as a founding
member and outstanding contributor along with her husband, Jack. In the last few years,
she has been one of the strongest supporters of the Adult Education Committee's SNED
(Sautee-Nacoochee Educational) Talks, never failing to promote and attend these programs.
Among Helen and Jack’s many gifts was an actual piece of property, deeded to SNCA in
2015: a portion of the Motts land which adjoins the Association’s property and is home to a
tree believed to be the largest and oldest white oak in White County. More recently, the
Native Peace Garden was created on this land, honoring the Cherokee tradition of our earth
belonging to all. An avid gardener, Helen had drawn inspiration from her surroundings. In
her words, “my knees had caressed every inch of our yard”. She envisioned the Native
Peace Garden as a place offering reflection, meditation, and peace to those who would help
to create it and those who would visit the space.
Helen’s love of nature was further expressed in an art form she called Botanical Creations:
pressed flower bookmarks and note cards first created as one-of-a-kind works and later
reproduced to make them more widely available. She gave all profits from these creations
to charity. Similarly, Helen made wreaths and fire starters for many friends and
acquaintances, the latter becoming a means for literally sharing warmth.
In private as well as public life, Helen Mott exhibited her personal conviction that it was
necessary to give more than she received and to live out her commitments to compassion
and gratitude. In recent years, especially as she was able to get out less often, she created a
sanctuary in her home, a sacred space where a steady stream of friends came to talk about
books; to share spontaneous laughter; to converse about spiritual matters with a wise
woman who respected many religions; most of all, to be heard and nurtured.
Helen’s way of nurturing also included offering visitors the opportunity to color. Her dining
room table was covered with dozens of colored pencils and a selection of coloring books,
many with intricate floral designs, inviting one to create beauty. Her invitation, “Come and
color,” gave friends an opportunity to spend time with her in conversation or
companionable silence.
Helen Mott was a person small in physical stature who had a heart and spirit too large to be
contained. Thus, her love, her compassion, and her life spark will live on in all who knew
her.
A celebration of life and memorial service is planned for Saturday, Feb.1, 2020 at 11:00
a.m. at Nacoochee Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Bob Prim will officiate.
A reception will follow. The Mott family would be honored by your presence. In lieu of
flowers, please consider contributing to a charity of your choice.
