Sister Cecilia Catherine Batten

Batten, Sister Cecilia Catherine, 81, died peacefully in Drummond Hall, Parkland Estates, in Halifax, NS on December 7, 2014. Born in Glace Bay, NS on November 11, 1933, she was a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Haley) Batten. Sister Cecilia Catherine entered the Sisters of Charity – Halifax on September 8, 1951 and made her final vows on August 15, 1960. Sister studied at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, and received a BA from this institute. Sister’s teaching career covered such places as Brooklyn, NY; Halifax, NS; New Waterford, Glace Bay and New Aberdeen, Cape Breton, NS. She touched the lives of many students and families. She is remembered by many students for her quality teaching, especially English, as well as her love and concern for her students’ entire well-being. Besides teaching, she was involved in many other aspects of daily living within her Church, her family, the community where she lived and her Religious Congregation. She witnessed the love of God made visible in her life and in our world. After fifty-eight years ministering to others on various missions of the Sisters of Charity – Halifax, Sister moved to Caritas Residence in January, 2013. There, she continued to minister by her great faith, her love, concern and gratitude for others. In October, 2013, she moved to Evan Hall, Parkland Estates and then in November, 2014, when it was evident that she needed more help, she moved to Drummond Hall, Parkland Estates, where she remained until her death. Besides her religious family, Sister is survived by her siblings – Emmeline Burns, Kathleen York, Anne Marie (James) MacDonald; Jim, Tom, Naish (Elvira), Phil (Ruth) Batten, as well as a large number of nieces and nephews who always kept in contact with her. She was predeceased by her siblings – Jack, Gert, Joe, Jenny, Ike, Allie and Baby David. The body will be in Caritas Residence on Tuesday, December 9, with visitation from 3 p.m. until the prayer service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 10 at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Chapel in Caritas Residence. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville, NS. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Church in Glace Bay, NS on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity Ministry Fund