Betty Sagul Battalora – COVINGTON, LA.

Betty Sagul Battalora of Covington, La., passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. She was born on May 26, 1925, in Donora, to John and Anna Spisak Sagul, who emigrated from Czechoslovakia. Betty is survived by her children, Mary Louise Battalora, Raymond J. Battalora (Carol), Elizabeth A. Battalora, COL (Ret.), Peggy A. Battalora, M.D., Georgian B. Weilbaecher (David), Linda A. Battalora, Ph.D.; her grandchildren, Jason Henderson, Aaron Henderson, Jonathan Henderson, Mary Stacey (Garrett), Sarah Robbins (Daniel), Leah Battalora, Christopher Laborde (Sarah), Nicholas Laborde (Angela), Max Messner and Thomas Messner; and her great-grandchildren, Isaac Henderson, Lio Henderson, Peter Robbins, Luke Robbins, Francis Robbins, Gregory Robbins, Drake Laborde and Jack Laborde. She is also survived by her sister, Lucy Serra. Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. George C. Battalora Jr.; her son, George C. Battalora III; her siblings, Dr. Edith Sagul, Margaret Wells, Elsie O’Brien, John Sagul, Helen Sagul, Mildred O’Lenic; and her parents. Betty graduated from Donora Senior High School in 1943. Upon graduation, she went to work at Donora Steel and Wire Company for one year as a machine shop operator and steel tester in order to pay for nursing school. In 1944, she joined the United States Army Cadet Nurse Program and began nurses training at Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Pa. Upon completion of her training, she became a registered nurse and was assigned to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. During a trip to New Orleans with her sister Helen, she fell in love with the city and Mardi Gras. She then transferred to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in New Orleans. She worked on the neurosurgical and orthopedic overflow unit; it was there she met her future husband, Dr. George C. Battalora Jr. She was a devoted wife and mother, who highly valued education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in general studies from Southeastern Louisiana University. Her professional career included membership in American Nurses Association, Louisiana State Nurses Association, American Red Cross Volunteer and Association of Operating Room Nurses. Betty also volunteered at Forest Manor Nursing Home for 29 years and at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as a prayer line volunteer. Graveside services were held at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, Saint Benedict, La., on March 27, 2020. The family is honoring the national precaution requirements in place at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A memorial service will be scheduled in the upcoming months. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Donations may be mailed to 1 N. Marigold Dr., Covington, LA 70433 or be made www.htlministries.org/donate. Please sign the E.J. FIELDING FUNERAL HOME online guest book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.