Mike Wolanin | The Republic Sarah Pauline Stott talks about turning 100 years old at her home in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022.
10 A.M. UPDATE
Sarah Pauline Stott of Columbus died Saturday morning — the date that also marked her 100th birthday. One of her birthday wishes was to have her birthday in the newspaper, which The Republic featured on Saturday.
Tammy Herrin, one of Stott’s grandchildren, said that she “went to heaven” at 5:30 a.m. She told the Republic on Friday that her grandmother was in the hospital with bacterial pneumonia.
Stott was born in the Oaklandon district of Indianapolis on Jan. 7, 1923. She originally met her husband in the city. When his family moved to Columbus, so did she. She was in her 20’s at the time, said Herrin.
She told The Republic, prior to her death, that while she didn’t think she had a lot of time left, she expected to “enjoy every minute of it.”
ORIGINAL STORY
A Columbus woman is marking a big milestone today, turning 100 years old with a birthday wish that her big day could be in the newspaper.
Sarah Pauline Stott of Columbus turns 100 today. Tammy Herrin, one of Stott’s grandchildren, said that the family had planned to celebrate with a 1920’s-themed party today but have had to put the event on hold due to illness.
When asked how it feels to make it to 100, Stott quipped, “It don’t.” She then added that it “seems like a dream.”
In 1923, the year Stott was born, Calvin Coolidge became the new president of the United States in August following the death of Warren G. Harding. The city of Columbus — which had a census count just shy of 9,000 in 1920, according to STATS Indiana — had just marked its first centennial in 1921.
Stott was born in the Oaklandon district of Indianapolis on Jan. 7, 1923. She originally met her husband in the city. When his family moved to Columbus, so did she.
She was in her 20’s at the time and has now lived in Columbus for about 75 to 80 years, said Herrin.
“It doesn’t seem possible, does it?” said Stott.
In that time, Stott’s family has grown tremendously — two sons, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren to date.
Herrin said the majority of Stott’s years in Columbus have been spent at the same address in Garden City — even after her initial home was destroyed by the 2008 flood, Herrin’s husband and her family worked to build Stott a new home in the same place.
“I’ve been here ever since, and I imagine I’ll still be here when I’m gone,” said Stott.
In regards to her career, Stott worked for Arvin Industries for almost 30 years, said Herrin. Stott recalled that she worked on the assembly line at first, then became an inspector until she retired.
In reflecting on how the world has changed over her lifetime, Stott said that the increase in electrical devices has made life easier.
When asked about the secret to long life, she replied, “I don’t know, I just live a normal life, I thought. I don’t know. Just a normal life. Don’t take — don’t drink, don’t smoke. That’s all I can tell you.”
Her words of wisdom from her 100 years were as follows: “Use your head. Don’t go over more than you think you can take care of. … You just can’t dive in over head. You’re going to have to take it easy and go little by little, and then you’ll always prosper, I think. I’ve got more now than I’ve had for a long time.”
Even after losing almost everything in the flood, Stott said that she has a good home, and she’s very happy.
While she doesn’t think she has a lot of time left, she expects to “enjoy every minute of it.”
“I’m happy, and I hope my kids are all happy, and you know, that’s the main point,” said Stott.
“Is to be happy?” asked Herrin.
“That’s right,” said Stott.
