Helen Sirochman Mott

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.