With sadness the family of Marie Eleanor Bateman (née: Rossiter) announces her passing on April 17, 2026, at the age of 87 years, in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Marie was born on October 4, 1938, in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, to Edith (Lamb) and Robert Rossiter, joining her two siblings Louise and John. The family were early pioneer homesteading farmers in the Falun area, west of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. She grew up riding horses, gardening, helping on the farm, and learning nursing skills from her mother, who provided health care in her home and via house calls. It was here her desire to become a nurse started.

After high school, Marie’s love for northern Alberta grew as she spent a year in Bonanza babysitting her nephews while Louise taught school. Discussions with a local community nurse convinced Marie to take the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA, which is now Licensed Practical Nurse - LPN) program, and after a year, she moved to Calgary, enrolled in the Calgary School for Nursing Assistants program, graduating in 1958.

While working her first nursing job in Innisfail, Marie met Art Bateman, and after a short romance, they were married on January 23, 1960. They lived in the Innisfail area, where Art farmed with his dad, David, just outside of Innisfail. In 1961, with their first baby, Robert, they moved to the County of Grande Prairie, in the Huallen (Wembley) area, where they purchased a farm on a section of land. One stipulation they both had was a mountain view, which they found on this beautiful property at the end of a road.

Marie and Art welcomed three more children, David, Teresa, and Airan. Marie enjoyed these active years as a mother and farm wife. She and Art were 4-H leaders and took part in many community events and curling bonspiels. Marie returned to nursing at the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital in 1977 and had a fulfilling career caring for others until she retired in the early 2000s. She kept many lifelong friends from those years, being a good colleague and community member.

In 1988, once all their kids had grown, they sold the farm and moved into Beaverlodge. Marie joined her daughter, Teresa, in leading the Junior Volunteers (Candy Stripers) at the hospital for several years, where they were proud to see several young people also pursue nursing.

Once Marie retired, she volunteered with several different community groups, including the Beaverlodge Hospital Foundation, Beaverlodge Hospital Auxiliary, and the Beaverlodge Thrift Store, serving in different capacities and making many new friends.

Marie and Art were snowbirds for over three decades, where they joined Louise and her husband, Jack, in Florence, Arizona. They made the trip by car for many years and later by air, until selling their second home in 2024. Arizona brought wonderful experiences, including flea markets, crafting, painting, new card games, swimming, and lots of get-togethers with their new community from all over North America.

In 2020, Marie and Art decided to downsize, selling their home and moving into Amisk Court, a seniors’ apartment in Beaverlodge. Marie made this adjustment quickly, with coffee mates and card games with friends daily.

Marie loved a great discussion and a good game of crib and was always elated to beat you! She never went easy on beginners. If you played Spite and Malice with her, you were warned, as she had sharp skills in her regular games with Louise. She had a sharp memory and wit and loved to banter with Art on a regular basis, as well as have a good laugh with her family and friends.

She always loved family gatherings and hosting friends and guests for meals, coffee, card games, or long visits over tea. Right up until her passing, Marie often made cinnamon buns to share with friends over morning coffee.

Marie had a giant heart for her family and was not one to interfere but was happy to offer advice based on her experiences. She was a constant source of encouragement to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, celebrating every success in their lives. She and Art remained devoted to each other for over 66 years.

Marie is survived by her husband, Art; children Robert (Shawna), Dave (Anne), Teresa, and Airan (Diane); grandchildren Jeff Bateman, Sarah Bateman, Jason Bateman, Bethany Bateman (Ben Eizenga), Angie Holubowich (Corey Cornell), Michelle Couturier (BJ), Nicole Hunter (Charles), Brenden Holubowich (Joleen), Nicole Harris, and Danielle Johnson (Levi); and many great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, John Rossiter (Dorothy); sisters-in-law Ruth Rutley and Gwen Connon; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Marie was predeceased by her parents, Samuel Robert and Edith Rossiter; her sister, Louise Sutherland; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral service for Marie Eleanor Bateman will be held at the Beaverlodge Community Centre (1016-4th Ave) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Luncheon to follow.

Memorial donations can be made in Marie’s honour to the Beaverlodge Hospital Foundation (Box 480, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H 0C0).

Please don’t wear black - Marie loved to wear bright colours and mentioned months ago that when she passed, she wanted a celebration to honour her life, with guests wearing colourful clothing and sharing stories.