Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

SPRUCE HEAD - Margaret M. ‘Ma' Batty, 89, died Sunday, September 20, 2015, at the Sussman House in Rockport after an extended period of declining health. Although her health had been failing, Ma was in attendance at her church one week ago and continued to be actively involved with her family.
Born in Spruce Head, September 2, 1926, the eighth of ten children of Llewellyn C. and Maggie M. Maker Elwell. She was proud to be born and raised in Spruce Head where she attended school, married and lived in the same home more than 70 years.
She married Thornton E. Batty at Spruce Head, October 12, 1943.
Ma considered her vocation to be that of wife, homemaker, mother and grandmother. She devoted herself to that calling. Her family said, were there a world record for attendance at school plays, ball games, or functions involving her children, grandchildren or even the neighborhood kids, she would have won that award. Her home was always open, providing a warm and caring place for anyone which usually included her home-made donuts and donut men. Besides her dedication to her family, she was passionate about her home and was known as someone who could make something out of nothing.
In earlier years she enjoyed hosting Record Hops at the Spruce Head Community Center with her friend Edie Drinkwater.
An avid reader, for many years she also belonged to a knitting club.
With her husband, she enjoyed regular visits to the former Dave’s Restaurant, and the Sea Store in Spruce Head.
She was a charter member of the Harmony Bible Church in South Thomaston. When property was being cleared for the new church building, with her son Bill, she felled the first tree, landing it across and blocking Route 73. She played left field on the church softball team until the age of 65.
Other than her parents, Ma was pre-deceased by eight siblings, her beloved husband Thornton E. Batty, Sr. in 1998 and her son William R. Batty Sr. in 2005. She is survived by one son, Thornton E. Batty, Jr. and his wife Karen-Sue ‘Susie’ of South Thomaston; her daughter Virginia L. Reed of Spruce Head; two daughters-in-law, Marylou Yattaw Batty of Spruce Head, Joann Mulé Batty of Concord, NH; her sister Ruth Batty of Rockland; eight grandchildren and their spouses, William R. Jr. and Sue Batty, Lisa and Dwane Wight, Michael and Jessica Batty, Jennifer and Joseph Demore, Mindy and Greg Davis, Stacy & Matthew Densmore, David Reed, Sarah and Brian Kenny; twelve great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, September 25, 2015, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday September 27th, at Ocean View Cemetery, South Thomaston. Pastor Jason Pauley will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Harmony Bible Church Memorial Fund, 337 Spruce Head Road, South Thomaston, ME 04858 or Kno-Wal-Lin Homecare & Hospice, 170 Pleasant Street, Rockland, ME 04841.
To share a memory or condolence with Ma’s family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.