(Card of Thanks)

John, Michelle, and I—as well as our families—would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported us during our mom's illness and passing.

We are especially grateful to the palliative care unit. Although her stay there was brief; the compassion, dignity, and exceptional care shown by the staff will remain in our hearts forever. Their gentle presence, kindness, and attentiveness provided comfort not only to her, but to all of us who stayed by her side. Knowing she was treated with such respect and tenderness during her final days meant more than words can express.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank the many people who reached out with warm condolences—friends, neighbours, coworkers, and those who simply knew her and cared for her. Each message, phone call, and quiet word of sympathy reminded us of how many lives she touched and how deeply she was loved.

To her dear friends who visited regularly, checking in to see how she was doing and offering companionship, comfort, and laughter when she needed it most, we are profoundly grateful. Your presence brightened some very difficult days and brought her so much peace.

We are also thankful for the meals and treats that were dropped off—both during her illness and afterward. These gestures may seem small to some, but they gave us moments of relief when we were overwhelmed and helped us feel cared for in ways we truly needed.

And to everyone who sent flowers, both while she was still with us and following her passing, thank you. Every bouquet was a reminder of love, support, and the beauty she brought into the world. Your thoughtfulness filled our home with warmth and comfort during an especially painful time.

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Country Haven for the exceptional care and attention to every detail during Mom's wake. Your professionalism, compassion, and support made an incredibly heartbreaking time a little easier for all of us, and we are truly grateful.

And last but certainly not least, we would like to thank the Very Reverend Catherine Short and the Reverend Canon Tanya White for their compassion, their regular check-ins with us and with Mom throughout her illness, and for the care and comfort they provided during her Celebration of Life. Their presence and support meant more than we can express. We are also deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the service, including the vocalist, organist and those who offered readings.

Every act of kindness—whether it was a message, a visit, a meal, a card, or a beautiful bouquet—has been a source of strength and support throughout this heartbreaking experience. We are so incredibly grateful for the compassion and love that has surrounded our family.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for walking beside us, lifting us up, and reminding us that even during the hardest moments, we are not alone.

It with great sadness that the family of the late Gladys Lorraine Batten announce her passing at Western Long Term Care Home (Palliative Care) on Thursday, November 27 2025 at the age of 83 years.

She leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories her partner; John Collins. Children; Barbara Mackinnon (Mark) and Michelle Carberry (Glenn). Grandchildren; Courtney Murphy (Ben) and Samantha Carberry (Simon). Great-grandchildren; Cole Naylor. Brother; Merrill White (Mary).

Gladys was predeceased by her husband Bruce Batten. Parents; Chess and Blanche. Sisters; Betty, Sue and Norma. Brother; Melvin.

Per Gladys' wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a visitation at Country Haven Funeral Home on Sunday, November 30 2025 from the hours of 2:00 – 4:00 Pm to 7:00 – 9:00 pm from where a funeral service will take place at St. John the Evangelist on Monday, December 1 2025 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Kay Short and Rev. Tanya White officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery As expression of sympathy, flowers are graciously accepted, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Scaredy Cat Rescue, St. John the Evangelist Building Fund and All Saints Building Fund.

Tribute to My Mom

My mom is truly a force to be reckoned with. She approached everything in life with the same unwavering drive and passion, whether it was a major community project or the smallest act of kindness. Her dedication to volunteering was never about recognition or reward — it was simply who she was. Her greatest joy came from knowing she had made a difference, however small it might seem to others.

Her spirit for community involvement started young. At just 14, she chartered two or three cars of the infamous Newfie Bullet so she and others could travel to Grand Falls for a hockey game between the Royals and ANCOS. Even then, she was organizing, leading, and bringing people together.

Over the years, she poured that same energy into countless reunions — the Whitehouse reunions, school reunions, and most memorably, the Amalgamated Regional High School Reunion in 2000. But the biggest and most demanding project she ever took on was the Corner Brook Come Home Year in 2019. She worked tirelessly on it, sometimes very tired, but she never slowed down. She wanted that celebration to be something special for her community, and she made it happen.

She was also deeply committed to the Corner Brook Stream Committee and spent years helping make her town a better place for everyone. I remember her excitement about the cruise ships that would visit Corner Brook during the summer. She loved meeting passengers, welcoming them, and sometimes even driving them around with John to show them the sights. It was such a simple gesture, but it said everything about who she was — warm, generous, and endlessly welcoming.

She also created a very popular Facebook group that shares current events in Corner Brook — now with more than 2,000 members. For those of us living away, it's been such a gift to stay connected to home, all thanks to her.

What amazed me most was how she approached her volunteer work. It made perfect sense that one of her roles involved Scaredy Cat Rescue — she has always been a huge animal lover.

My mom also had great faith, and her church has been a central part of her life for as long as I've been alive. She volunteered there consistently and faithfully.  I truly believe her faith is what carried her through the biggest challenge she ever faced — her cancer diagnosis. She fought an unbelievable fight after being diagnosed in August 2024, pushing forward with the same strength and determination she brought to everything else in her life, until she simply couldn't anymore.

Before I left her side today, I told her that the world just became a little less bright for me. And it has.