“Mickey” Yoder, nee Michele Marie Cotter, formerly of (Susquehanna, Hartville, Dahlonega) died of cancer on August 16, 2013, near Atlanta, Georgia. She was 77. Mickey was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Andrew Francis Yoder, her son Dr. Terrence Yoder, a prominent Atlanta pediatrician, her brother Anthony Cotter and sisters Maureen Morgan, Sr. Margaret Cotter IHM and Kathleen Adornato. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Yoder of New York City, daughter Allison Vitella (Franco) and grandchildren Isabella and Gianfranco of North Caldwell, N. J. and Andrew (Yoder) Roberts of Virginia Beach, VA. Also surviving are dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews from across the country.

Mickey attended and graduated from Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, PA, then went on to Mansfield State Teachers’ College in Mansfield, PA. She was a beautiful, gifted and popular student who tutored team athletes in math and reading, and who wore the Homecoming Queen crown many times. She was also an avid golfer and swimmer. Typing and shorthand skills acquired early in a secretarial class were useful throughout her life from college summer jobs to recording personal stories of the Depression and WW II. After starting her career in Susquehanna, she moved to the Cleveland, Ohio area. She sailed from New York on the Queen Elizabeth II for a summer European adventure before returning to her classroom in Maple Heights, Ohio, her butter-yellow convertible and her beloved Andy.

Mickey was a much-loved teacher in Ohio for over 30 years, most noted for sharing her sense of fun and love of reading with her students. Much of her career was spent in Hartville, in upper-elementary general education, but the true lesson to her students was respect and belief in themselves. After retirement, she enjoyed being lost in a good book, and traveling with Andy to spend time with family. Recently she was interviewed about her memories of V-E Day, which will be included in an upcoming middle-school Social Studies textbook. In another interview, by a college student for a sociology class, Mickey was asked to offer some advice. Her answer was “Be kind.” All who had had the pleasure of her company know that she lived by those words. Friends and family will miss her, but will always remember her optimism and hopefulness.

At some point later in the year there will be a memorial event with sprinkling of ashes, to be determined. In the meantime, should friends and loved ones desire, the family suggests that that in lieu of flowers, people could make a memorial donation to the Lumpkin County Public Library in Michele's name. Mickey liked thoughtful, yet practical gestures that had the best interests of others in mind, and we feel it would honor her giving nature. This is by all means only a suggestion.

For the memorial library fund, checks can be made out to: Lumpkin County Library

and sent to:

Attn: Tracey Thomaswick,

Lumpkin County Library

342 Courthouse Hill

Dahlonega, GA 30533.

They are aware that people may be sending in small donations.

Just indicate that it is for Michele Yoder's memorial fund.