Obituary of Mona Elizabeth Bateman

Bateman, Mona Elizabeth (nee Petrie) November 6, 1940 – November 24, 2021 Our mother was a beautiful person. She had a life filled with lots of love, laughter, and amazing adventures. She lived with grace and gratitude and a wicked sense of humour. Born in Glace Bay to Ken and Mary Petrie the youngest of two children. Her older sister is Carol Liberty. Growing up in Glace Bay, she was close with her cousins Brian and Liam Petrie and had a wide circle of friends. She was often the life of the party. Our mom met our dad, Mel Bateman, at a wedding and they married on January 13, 1962. Their four children quickly followed Nancy (John Dyck), Paul (Jenna Poole), Kevin (Diane McLeod) and Patti (Trevor Williams). We had a mom who was loving, firm and fair. We knew when we were in real trouble when we heard those dreaded six words “Wait till your father gets home!!” We grew up appreciating a good joke, going to Catholic church, and being expected to try our best, work hard and be kind. She achieved her goal of having us all become tax paying citizens who don’t expect anyone else to do it for us. We were never allowed to wallow or become self-absorbed. Even her grandchildren would hear her say “Put on your big girl/boy pants and get on with it!!” A good work ethic and a conscience were fundamental traits instilled in us along with a sense of humour and the ability to flick a Dr. Scholl sandal at a moving target. Once the four of us were grown our mom returned to school to become an Early Childhood Educator. She worked at Knox United Church Daycare for several years before our dad was posted to London, England. In London she worked at the Canadian High Commission. It has been said that “you can take the girl out of Glace Bay, but you can’t take the Glace Bay out of the girl.” This was particularly true about our mom who could find friends and make connections anywhere. Once, while playing Bridge in London she discovered her assigned partner had once been her babysitter! Our mom was an excellent cook, a fierce card player and a lover of animals, especially dogs. She was a loyal and trusted friend to many. Her friendships, once made, never ended. She loved children, tea with milk, rug hooking, and a good scotch but not always in that order. Mom loved hearing about us, our children, and her great grandchildren. Our parents set a gold standard for married life. They were true friends and partners who shared over 60 years together. They loved to travel, have dinner parties, play Bridge, and look after all of us. There was a lot of laughter and good times over the years. Our parents adored each other. At the time of her sudden passing, she was a weekly volunteer at Mountain Lea Lodge, going regularly to rug hooking, playing Bridge on Friday and she never missed Sunday mass. She was a voracious reader and loved to play ‘words with friends’ online. Kind, funny, compassionate and a faithful Catholic her whole life we, her family, were the luckiest. If you knew our mom, you knew a true gem of a human being. She was diplomatic to her core. If she didn’t approve or agree with something she would keep it to herself and not interfere. She was a person who would volunteer to help anyone without being asked. A person with a smile and a kind word for everyone she encountered. As one of her dear friends commented “She was a real person. Unpretentious and kind.” We, her children, and our dad, mourn her passing along with her eight grandchildren Shannon (Travis), Steven (MacKenzie), Nick (Kate), Alex, Alison (Donald), Melanie, Grace (Zack), and Matthew and her five great-grandchildren Luca, Mateo, Claire, Elise and Noah. She will be lovingly remembered by her niece and nephews Bob, Jamie, Dana and Joel Porter and their families, her in-law siblings Jack and Sharon Bateman, Sue and Richard Harding and Margaret and Dick Rogers, and their families. To honour her memory please show kindness to others, tell a funny story, or donate to a charity of your choosing. A funeral mass will be held on Friday December 10, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Bridgetown, with Father John MacPherson officiating. Interment to follow at a later date. Proof of vaccination, ID and wearing a mask are required to attend. You may view the service or leave on-line condolences at www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com