WILMINGTON — Catherine Pine Batson, age 80 of Wilmington, NC passed away peacefully at her home in Bayshore Estates, the Odgen area of Wilmington, on October 30, 2023.
Catherine was born on May 12, 1943, to the late Frank and Angie Pine in Newport, RI. She was the sixth of eight children, raised in a poor military family where her father was deployed in the Navy much of the time.
She graduated from Rogers High School in Newport, RI and at the age of 18 she married Dennis James (Jimmy) Batson. They dated for several years while he was stationed in Newport with the Navy. In the early 60’s they moved to Jimmy’s hometown, Hampstead, NC and had their first child, Dean. Soon after, they moved to the Wilmington area, building their first home and having their second child, Diane. While the children were young, Jimmy’s job as an electrician took them to Hersey, PA for a couple years before moving back to their home in NC where they stayed and raised the kids.
The biggest turning point in her life was in 1987 when her daughter, Diane, was killed in a car accident. The birth of her grandchildren in the 90’s brought back smiles and good times.
After Jimmy’s passing in 2007, Cathy stayed in the home but spent most of her time in Surf City with Murray Blake, a long-time friend of the family. Before her diagnosis, Cathy and Blake (as she called Murray) were engaged to be married. After Cathy’s surgery, one of Murray’s daughters, Jennifer (Blake) Fisher, moved in with Cathy and cared for her tirelessly for the last 5 years.
After the children started school, Cathy secured a job as a secretary down at the ports with Wilmington Shipping Company for 12 years. Looking for change in atmosphere, a friend got her a job waitressing at Whitey’s Restaurant. Her quick-witted and hard-working nature made her a favorite; she loved tending to everyone, especially her regulars at the round table. After retiring from waitressing, she worked part-time at Sam’s Club for several more years until her knee replacement surgery complications made it hard to stay on her feet too long.
Cathy was, as most would describe a hot sketch! Fun loving, hardworking and sassy. She didn’t love cooking but learned the southern way, enjoying freezing and canning Jimmy’s garden harvests. She did love the sound; the oystering and clamming were her favorite. There are many stories of her and Jimmy’s sisters’ adventures in the sound In the evenings, Jimmy and Cathy were well known for their dancing skills, frequenting the moose lodge and local dance halls. She was a dedicated mother, doing anything for her children. After losing her daughter, becoming a granny became a new highlight in her life. She loved babysitting her grandchildren more than anything. Cathy was a fighter, nearly overcoming her health diagnosis, battling for several years longer than most.
She is survived by her beloved son Dean Batson (Brenda) and their children Diana Jane and Richard Wayland, siblings Robert Pine (Bernice), Gertrude (Pine) Grainger, Patricia (Pine) Dennett, Michael Pine (Leslie) and sister-in-law Clara (Batson) Fallon along with many other extended family members and friends who loved her and will miss her.
In addition to her aforementioned parents, Catherine is predeceased by her husband Dennis James Batson, daughter Diane Elaine Batson, and siblings Frank Pine, Jr., Tommy Pine, and Veronica (Pine) Perry, sister-in-law Ellen (Batson) Crane, brother-in-law Larry Batson, brother-in-law Wayland ‘Buddy’ Batson and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Harbour Village Yacht Club, 2019 Kings Landing Road, Hampstead, NC.
With the unexpected financial aspect of Cathy’s devastating loss, a Family Support Contribution Fund has been set up to assist in her care at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation. Any and all contributions are received with extreme gratitude and welcomed with a heartfelt thank you.
