A Tribute to Claire Mott White

It is with great sadness that the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation marks the passing of Claire Mott White on Monday, March 24, 2014. Granddaughter of Charles Stewart Mott and a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 1998, she was the daughter of C.S. Harding Mott and wife of William S. (Bill) White, president, CEO and chairman of the Foundation. She is the mother of Tiffany White Lovett (Robert E. Lovett, Jr.) and Ridgway White (Shannon Easter White), and grandmother of Benjamin and Daniel Lovett, and Isabella and Samuel White.

Though she came from a prominent family, Claire was a private person who always put the needs and interests of family and friends before her own. Family members describe her as a humble servant who generously shared her time, talent, and good fortune with others. She also was an accomplished artist and ceramics instructor.

In addition to serving on Mott’s Board, Claire served as chair of the Isabel Foundation and president of the C.S. Harding Foundation.

Claire served on many local and national boards and was the recipient of several awards, including the Community Foundation of Greater Flint’s 2006 Libby Award for her work on behalf of women and girls. Along with her husband, Bill, she shared in the 2007 Guvvy Award — the Michigan Governor’s Award — for lifetime achievement in supporting the arts and culture. In 2005, the Flint Institute of Arts, where she has served as a board member since 1997, named its renovated studio wing in her honor, acknowledging her lifelong commitment to the museum and its school.

Claire was a Reader and twice served as chair of the board for the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Flint. Known for her quiet leadership, positive energy and gentle guidance, she also was a great asset to many community nonprofits.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Claire’s honor be made to the Art School endowment at the Flint Institute of Arts.