Obituary of Gladys Batalha

Gladys Batalha, age 72 of Branchburg, NJ, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. She was born in Ecuador, and moved to New York in her 20’s in search of a new beggining. She soon found love in her husband, Virgolino Antonio Batalha where they lived in Queens, NY. She then moved to Teaneck 10 years later where she raised both her sons, Michael and Mark-Anthony. She spent many years afterwards in Bogota and Little Ferry before finally moving to Branchburg in May of last year. Gladys was a devout member of her church and was a woman of faith, she volunteered at the Hackensack courthouse and at the Hackensack Cancer Center, counseling cancer patients undergoing treatment. She started her career as a bookkeeper, but her true passion was teaching. She spent many years teaching English as a second language and cared for each and every one of her students. As a single mother she devoted her life to taking care of her two sons. She enjoyed traveling the world, gardening, cooking, her friends & family and being a loyal member of her church. Gladys was artistic, independent, classy and not afraid of anything. She was well respected and loved by every life she touched. She adored her grandchildren wholeheartedly. She was her happiest when spending time with them. Gladys is survived by her 2 sons, Michael and his wife, Katie of Branchburg, Mark of Charleston, SC, her two grandchildren, Brooke and Michael, her sister Gloria Ortiz Cruz and niece Elsy Martha Gomez. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, January 15, 2017 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse. A funeral service will be held at 5:00 PM.