Esther R. Bott

Esther Ruth Bott, 86, went home to be with the Lord at 1:14 am on Monday September 29, 2014 at Blu Fountain Manor with her family by her side. She was born November 7, 1927 in Brighton, the daughter of George & Lula Pilcher. She married William “Bill” Bott on June 16, 1950, he survives. Their marriage of 64 years was an example for our family of how to live life in a loving and Godly way. Best friends from the beginning, they danced their way through life together enjoying time at Elm Street Presbyterian Church and with their friends and family. Over the years, they have shown steadfast commitment to each other and things in their care illustrating to us all the things that are truly important in life, faith, family, fun, and good food. Esther was a constant source of stability and love for her family and the roles she played as wife, mother, and grandparent, great-grandparent, sister and aunt. As an avid baker and excellent cook, she often showed her love and comforted others through food. She was always the first to call loved ones, church members, and family to help in the event of illness or hard times and was highly likely to show up with something freshly baked on their doorstep. Her example, has made all of us better servants to those hurting or in need. In addition to her husband and daughter, her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her great loves. She created lasting and loving memories for her grandchildren that will keep their bonds tight with her even through death. Through her teaching and nurturing, her legacy will live on through her recipes and the memories that were created around every celebration, every pan of fresh baked cinnamon rolls, and every time we find ourselves in the kitchen baking and cooking. She weaved us all together much like the fibers of the many beautiful items she crocheted taking care in that when she was gone, we would still have one another. In addition to her husband of 64 years, she is survived by her daughter Marcia Sivia of Alton and her son-in-law Wayne Sivia; grandchildren Christy & Tyler Schaper, Todd & Becky Sivia, Edwardsville, Molly & Justin Peters, Alton, great grandchildren; Jacob, Blake, Austin, Matthew, Andrew, and Bailey; a sister, Betty Werts, Brighton, nieces, nephews, and many lifelong friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Sally Jo Bott, her parents George & Lula Pilcher, sister Mary Edna Schlief, mother and father -in- law Harold & Wilma Bott, sister & brother- in-law Eugene and Patricia Walter. "If you grieve you've felt joy. If you're mourning someone's death, it's because you loved someone. If you're mourning the loss of health, it means you've had health. Whenever you grieve, it's because for a time you had something precious, and that is something worth celebrating." Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Celebration of life services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2014 at Elm Street Presbyterian Church in Alton. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to Elm Street Presbyterian Church in Alton. PDF Printable Version

Tributes

Esther R. Bott

November 7, 1927 - September 29, 2014