Obituary of Katherine M. Battaglini

Katherine M. Battaglini

Katherine M. Battaglini of Fairport passed away on March 14, 2018 at age 86. Katherine is predeceased by her husband, Julius; brother, Thomas Rourke; sisters, Barbara Doehr and Mary Jane Sterle. She is survived by her children, Pam (Andrew) Baker, Catherine (Daniel) Rupe, Cindy (Michael) Mastrodonato, Paul (Jane) Battaglini of Wesley Chapel, FL; grandchildren, Julie Anne Baker, Lisa Douglass, Christopher Baker, Courtney Rupe Luna, Michael II and Daniel Mastrodonato, Michael and Tyler Battaglini; 13 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Kaye was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, the third of 4 children, on March 31,1931. She spent her early childhood in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She loved that seacoast town and the ocean. Kaye’s father was in sales and his job caused the family to move many times during her childhood. She arrived in Monroe County around age ten and lived in Brighton, Penfield and Fairport. She was very athletic and enjoyed sports and cheerleading. It was in her junior year at Fairport High that she met her future husband, Julius Battaglini. They dated for seven years and were married after Kaye graduated from SUNY Brockport.

Kaye taught first grade at the Denonville Building in Penfield, New York. Her career was cut short with the pregnancy of her first child. She always missed teaching but went on to have three more children. A devoted wife and mother, Kaye held down the fort while her husband finished his degree at the U of R going to night school.

Kaye became involved in Girl Scouts and was a troop leader for many years. She learned to camp, to make crafts and to provide a setting where local girls could thrive. Eventually, Kaye went back to work as a waitress at Locust Hill Country Club and worked there for many years.

Later in life, Kaye had a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ. She was very private about it but her love for the Lord grew for the rest of her life.

Kaye was not the boisterous, in the limelight kind of person. Instead she was the one in the background making it all happen for those around her. She and her husband poured their lives out to others, many times sacrificing to meet the needs of those around them. Kaye’s touch will continue to be felt for many years to come, especially in the lives of her nine grandchildren and thirteen great –grandchildren. In many ways she was a Proverbs 31 woman:

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Friends may call Sunday, March 18 (TODAY), 1-4 PM at Harloff Funeral Home, 803 S. Washington Street, East Rochester. A funeral service will be held Monday, March 19, 10:30 AM at All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park, 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford. Interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to Perinton Ambulance.