Irene S. Batista

Irene Sanchez Batista passed away at home on July 8, 2021 surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born in Ft. Hancock, Texas on October 9, 1931 to Rogelio and Petra Sanchez and was the youngest daughter of 10 children. Irene was a graduate of Ft. Hancock High School where she was a state champion doubles tennis player and attended Texas Western College of Mines where she majored in music and was a member of the all-women’s drum corps. Irene loved music and played piano by ear at an early age and would continue to play the piano throughout her life.

Irene worked for the El Paso Independent School District as a paraprofessional with the special needs children at Highland Elementary School. She was active in school and community activities, serving as president of Austin High School PTA and was recognized as a lifetime member. She was a member of the Austin High School band boosters, the Austin High School football boosters and served on the Sun Bowl band host committee for 17 years.

Irene served as an election poll worker in El Paso and was a democratic delegate representing the state of Texas. She volunteered for many years at the Grandview Park Senior Citizens Center, serving the “elderly” and assisting during meals and in other various capacities. She was proud of her volunteer and community service and always encouraged others to do the same.

Irene loved adventure and attended every game, performance and event that her children and grandchildren participated in. She loved to travel and was always the first to volunteer to accompany those traveling for events. One of Irene’s hobbies was to decorate her house for every holiday, making her holiday villages a special treat for her family and visitors. She would say that she didn’t have to celebrate holidays because any day with her family was a holiday. She was kind, caring and loving, always letting you know that she loved you with all her heart and had a special gift for making everyone feel special and loved. She would always say goodbye by sending you off with a blessing. She loved being with family and friends and loved being called grandma by all.

Irene is survived by her husband Ruben Batista Sr.; her children Rowena Batista Marcontel (Lee+), Ruben Batista Jr. (Irene), Linda Batista Lawson (Mark) and Christopher Batista (Michelle). She is also survived by ten grandchildren; Ruben Robert Batista, John Paul Batista, Eric Batista, Lindsay Marcontel, Nicholas Marcontel, Bryant Marcontel, Amber Batista, Audrey Batista, Andrew Batista, Anthony Batista and 4 great grandchildren; Eli Ramos, Lucas Covarrubias, Benjamin Covarrubias and Noah Batista.

The family would like to thank The Hospitals of Providence, El Paso Integrated Physicians Group and Hospice of El Paso for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be Wednesday July 14th at Funeraria Del Angel Restlawn at 8817 Dyer Street from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. There will be a Rosary service at 7:00pm following the visitation. The funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday July 15th at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church at 4800 Byron Street with interment following at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to express sympathy and honor Irene's legacy make a donation to the Irene S. Batista Scholarship Fund administered by the Paso del Norte Community Foundation at 221 N. Kansas Street, Suite 1900 El Paso, Texas 79901.

The Irene S. Batista Scholarship Fund | Paso Del Norte Community Foundation (pdnfoundation.org) can be accessed by the attached link

https://pdnfoundation.org/give-to-a-fund/irene-s-batista-scholarship-fund

or you can mail a gift to the foundation and include "Irene S. Batista Scholarship Fund" in the memo so the gift is properly designated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelKM.com for the Batista family.