Josephine "Jo" Batty

Josephine M. Batty passed away in her sleep in the early morning hours of July 1, 2015 at the Cheney Care Center in Cheney, Washington. Josephine was born April 4, 1920 in New England, North Dakota to parents Joseph Dominic Wandler and Alice Mae Meunier. She traveled to Spokane with her family as a tiny child during the dust bowl migrations to the West in the early ‘20s. Josephine graduated from Marycliff High School as valedictorian of her class in 1938. She attended Keating Business College graduating in 1939 at the top of her class with the fastest typing speed on record. Josephine secured a much sought after secretarial position with the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, a new federal government entity that had just been located in Spokane. There she met Harry H. Batty who was to become her husband of 72 years. In 1939, Josephine and Harry sang a duet at the FCIC Christmas Party entitled “To You,” a Tommy Dorsey hit of the time. Mrs. Batty worked as a homemaker for several years raising three children and helping her husband start the family accounting firm. In 1947, she began doing temporary work with the Northern Pacific Railroad, beginning a long career that would culminate in 1980 when she began her years as the Superintendent’s secretary - the top secretarial job in the Spokane office. She retired from the Burlington Northern Railway in 1983 after 32 years of service. Mrs. Batty served in many positions for the National Association of Railway Business Women including Secretary/Treasurer for District 5. She served as a Den Mother for her sons’ Scout packs, receiving commendation as an outstanding Den Mother. She was active in her Church serving as chair of the Building committee at St. Joseph’s in Colbert. In addition, she kept in touch with her Marycliff classmates of ’38 often hosting monthly gatherings over the years. She was a Past President of the CPA wives’ auxiliary. She also served as First Lady of the Spokane Club during the year of her husband’s Presidency there, entertaining and attending many functions in that role. Josephine was a devoted wife and mother, raising three children and nurturing her 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren with consistent love. She enjoyed travelling, RVing, decorating and cruises. She visited Europe, The Philippines, Canada, The Caribbean and Mexico. She traveled across the U.S.A. and survived the ALCAN in an RV! She travelled to Washington D.C. at the age of 92. Mrs. Batty is survived by her children: Dr. Carolyn M. Barrett, Reston, VA, Harry E. Batty, Bangor, ME and Robert W. Batty and wife Sharon, Cheney, WA; sister, Shirley Walker, Spokane Valley, WA; sisters-in-lawBetty Anderson of Phoenix AZ, and Mary Wandler of Spokane WA; grandchildren: Tracey Haider of Centreville, VA, Kellen Barrett of Willow Springs, NC, Lynn Frost of Chandler, AZ, Lisa Morey of Tulsa, OK, Erin Pardee of Concord, CA, Megan Benton of Bradenton, FL, Sean Batty of Portland, OR, Jeaneane McNulty of Austin TX and Chad Batty of Seattle, WA; great-grandchildren: Mariam, Mehreen, Faraz, Laura, Lily, Emily Jo, Hannah, Tyler, Abby, Lily, Kadian, Finn, Amelia and Leo. Josephine loved everyone that came into her home: in-laws, and exs, related or not! You always had a place at the table and in her heart. Mrs. Batty was preceded in death by her husband Harry H. Batty, brothers Byron Wandler and his wife Evelyn, Eugene Wandler and wife Gay, Joseph Wandler and first wife Dorothy, a sister Merle Dowd and great grandson Christopher. Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Vianney Church in Spokane Valley at 501 North Walnut Road, Spokane, Washington 99214 on Saturday July 25 at 11:00 AM, the Reverend Father Charles Skok officiating. Interment following at Holy Cross Cemetery 7200 N. Wall Spokane, WA. The family suggests memorials to Josephine’s favorite charities including the Catholic House of Charity in Spokane and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Cheney.