Obituary: Lexington Resident and 'Independent' Woman Ann Catherine Batten, 86

The following is an obituary from Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home: 

Ann Catherine Batten, an independent woman, passed away on Monday morning, October 14, 2013. She was 86 years old.

Ann was born in Arlington, the daughter of Irish immigrants, the late Denis and Catherine McLaughlin. She grew up and was educated in Lexington. She was a graduate of Lexington High School, Class of 1944, were she excelled in field hockey, basketball, and softball. Growing up, Ann faced some difficult challenges in her life. First, her mother passed away and then 3 years later her father. She lived with family members until her high school graduation, and then went out on her own to live.

She took a job at John Hancock Insurance and found an apartment. She later met a young man from Woburn, Tracey Batten, and they were married on September 11, 1948. They eventually settled in Burlington in 1963 to raise their children. It was these challenges in her life that molded her as an adult. She had a strong sense of independence, which she shared with her family. When her children had difficult decisions, she always pushed for them to make their own choices without being influenced by others. She had a practical side to her, like she loved to shop, but only purchased something if it was on sale or a great value. She took great pride in how she presented herself to others.

Ann had a great Irish humor and was known to be a bit of a prankster. And most importantly, Ann was the type of person who knew what she believed in and wasn’t bashful about sharing her views if asked. Over the years, she had worked at High Voltage in Burlington and had assisted her husband with the books at his automotive garage.

She loved Lake Winnipesaukee and had a vacation home at South Down Shores in Laconia, NH. She was a big Red Sox and Patriots fan. She loved animals, especially her dog, “Penny”, and generously supported any charity involving animals. She was a strong role model to her children and later her grandsons. She leaves her family with countless memories, stories, filled with laughter, love, and quick wit.

Ann was the loving wife of the late Tracy W. Batten. She was the loving mother of Kathy Ann Willis & her husband Robert of North Reading and Tracy M. Batten & his wife Laura of Westford. She was a proud grandmother of Christopher & Michael Batten of Westford and James Willis of N. Reading. She was the sister of the late Mary Jeffrey and sister-in-law of Hazel & Robert Greenfield of Long Beach, CA. Ann was also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Ann’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., Second Floor, Framingham, MA 01701 or www.diates.org