Helen Dorothy Firor, 88, of 724 Cobb Street in Athens, died Sunday, January 6, 2002.
She was the daughter of the late Guy W. Sr. and Helen W. Firor, and the sister of the
late Sarah Elizabeth Firor, also of Athens, Georgia. Helen Dorothy ''Dot'' Firor was born in Athens, but lived in Louisville and Montezuma, Georgia before returning to Athens in 1932. In 1936, Dot obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from
the University of Georgia. She taught at Chase Street School from 1936 until March 1943, when she became an Ensign in the U.S. Navy WAVES. While on assignment as Lieutenant to the United States Naval Intelligence OP-20-G in Dayton, Ohio, Dot rendered service on Project Ultra in the breaking of German and Japanese codes. Dot returned to Athens in December of 1945, and received a Masters in Instructional Supervision from the University of Georgia in 1948. She then went on to study at NYU and the Teachers' College of Columbia University, and was an assistant teacher at New Lincoln School, New York until 1953. Upon her return to Athens in 1953, Dot began a nineyear Special Education teaching position at Chase Street School. She then became principal of College Avenue School in 1962, then principal of Childs Street School in 1965 while also obtaining a Specialist's Degree in Administration from the University of Georgia in 1964.
In 1966, Dot became the first principal of Fowler Drive Elementary School until her 1975 retirement. Throughout her life-long dedication to education, Dot served as an officer or board member of ACE, AARTA, Delta Kappa Gamma (an honorary society for women
educators), United Way, Wesley Foundation, Athens Historical Society, the Mental Health Association of Northeast Georgia, and the Northeast Georgia Girl Scouts. Other voluntary memberships include NEA, GAE, Jeanette Rankin Foundation, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, Athens Community Council on Aging, University of Georgia Alumni Association, Senior Fun Group, and the Georgia Authors' Society. As a member of the First United Methodist Church, Dot remained actively involved in charity work through church-related activities as well. After her retirement Dot continued to renew various memberships while also becoming an active volunteer with the Mental Health Association of Northeast Georgia. Dot helped to supervise the Social Club for mentally ill adults, organized fundraisers, publicly spoke on behalf of the mentally ill and their families, and attended and led family support groups. Removing the negative
stigma from those who suffer from a mental illness was of great political and social concern for Dot, and she worked tirelessly for this cause. Dot was the recipient of uncountable honors, among them Zodiac, Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Delta Pi. She
received the Award of Excellence from Kappa Delta Pi in March of 1975. She was, on many occasions, given recognition from her various charities and leadership, and in 1997 was honored by Citizen Advocacy of Athens-Clarke County. She received from this honor the key to the city of Athens. All in all, Dot spent seven decades teaching and
leading others, as an educator, as a director, as a lieutenant, as a counselor, as a principal, as a neighbor, as an aunt, as a friend. Dot is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Guy W. Jr. and Dorothy Holcombe Firor (and other relatives). A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 19, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. at Athens First United Methodist
Church with senior minister Rev. Bill Britt and Rev. Grady Wigley, minister of pastoral care, officiating. Visitors and friends will be received in the church parlor one hour prior to the service, and afterward at 724 Cobb Street, Athens, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Mental Health Association of Northeast Georgia, 250 North Avenue, Athens 30601, or Athens First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1109, Athens 30603-1109. Bridges Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
-- Athens Banner-Herald, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002