Etta E. Batchelder

Etta Batchelder, nee Corvese, passed away after a long illness on August 21st, 2018. Etta was born on March 13th, 1923 to Elsabetta and Ernesto Corvese in Providence, RI. She is pre-deceased by her parents and a sister, Angela DelGallo, of Cranston, RI. Etta was a talented musician and performer, devoted teacher, adored sister and aunt, and beloved wife for 66 years of David Batchelder, who passed in 2012.

Etta’s talents were recognized early in life; she sang and played the ukulele regularly on a local radio show as a child, and for family and friends throughout her life.  Etta was also a talented actor and performer, beginning in high school and continuing with the Peterborough Players, of Peterborough New Hampshire for many years.

Etta met her future husband, David, during WWII while he was serving in the Navy; they married on September 30th, 1946. In 1953 they moved into a cozy cottage built by Dave and his dad in New Ipswich, New Hampshire and Etta began her long career as a kindergarten teacher. Etta’s creativity and deep love for children found a beautiful home in her relationships with all the young people in her life, but especially her beloved students at Noah’s Ark, who called her “Miss Etta”.   She and David also travelled the world with their friends and with the Masons, an organization they were deeply involved in.

Etta is survived by her brother Ernest and wife Dolores, her sister Claudia and husband David, nieces Denise, Kathy, Susan, Deborah, and Lisa, and nephews Robert and Kevin, as well as their spouses and many great-nieces and nephews.  Etta was lovingly cared for in the last years of her life by her niece Michaela and husband Todd, as well as the staff at Summerhill Assisted living facility.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visiting Hours will be held on Saturday, August 25th from 10am – 10:45am at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am at Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH.