Agnes Mott

MADISON- Agnes M. Mott, age 101, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare, after a short illness. She was born on July 19, 1912, the youngest of 4 girls, to John and Frances (Pulvermacher) Balk, in Spring Green.
She attended school in Spring Green, while living on a small farm just outside of town. She thrived there because of her love for animals. She had a pet chicken which she named DeeDee, who came into the kitchen every morning to lay an egg. That was a story that she loved to tell her grandchildren. The family moved to Madison after the death of her father. Her mother had bought a restaurant and Agnes worked there while going to Central High School. After graduation she continued there and met Gordon A. Mott, her soon-to-be husband. They were married on June 1, 1932 at St. Raphael Catholic Church. They had two children; Gary A. (Peggy) and Suzanne who married Jim FitzGibbon, now deceased. Agnes and Gordon had 68 years together before his death in 2000. They were loving parents, very centered on their family, who loved to travel, whether by cars, bus, or train, all over the U.S., often visiting family who had spread all over the country.
She is survived by her 2 children; Gary (Peggy) of Cross Plains and Suzanne FitzGibbons of Stoughton; 9 grandchildren, Mike (Cassie) Mott, Dan (Jacque) Mott, Amy Mott (John) Cunningham, Andy (Heather) Mott, Terri FitzGibbon (Mark) Keller, Jim (Yoli) FitzGibbon, Melanie FitzGibbon (Mike) McCormick, Kelly FitzGibbon, and Bridget (Garrett) Gracner; 19 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; Son-In-Law, James FitzGibbon and three sisters.
Agnes, the person- Once you knew her, you would stand in awe. She was the Matriarch of the entire families of Peggy and Gary, and Sue and her late husband, Jim FitzGibbon. We all knew she was good in everything she tired, whether it was dancing (which she loved), sports, like volleyball (she played on a championship volleyball team in a City League in 1936). She was a beautiful dancer since she was very young. Her gracefulness and clothes sense drew her to modeling in her 60's and 70's. Once she had retired from her job at Yost-Kessenich Department Store on State Street, she found out about all the classes at MSCR (Madison School and Community Recreation) and wanted to try them all, so she almost did. Western Swing and Line Dancing were two that she really enjoyed before moving on to the various exercise/dance classes. As time went on, she discovered yoga which she continued for years on a twice weekly basis. She loved yoga almost more than painting and was still going to her classes until she suffered an ankle/foot injury and infection 4 months ago and was forced to cease although she continued trying to "keep strong" using physical therapy until approximately 1 � weeks before her death.
She discovered her talent in painting watercolors and oils in her 70's. She painted beautifully and would paint for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren giving them her work as gifts for birthdays and Christmas. She developed macular degeneration in her last years and had to quit painting which she mourned greatly.
She was a strong, intelligent, vibrant, beautiful woman who didn't think her age was ever an inconvenience. Just ask her athlete grandsons who had pushup contests with her. We all still talk in wonder about her many accomplishments.
Our shining star has left us, from the youngest to the oldest, with holes in our lives. We thank the Lord for giving Agnes to her family and her many friends. She filled us all with her love and her beautiful light now adds to Heaven's glory.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Monday, June 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Sunday, June 8, 2014 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. and at church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church and/or School (she was a charter member of the church), and to the Catholic Multicultural Center.
A big thank you and Mahalo to Dr. Watts and his staff, Nazareth House, Agrace HospiceCare and all her "pals".