Arletta Theresa Pardoe Bateman was born in Buffalo Crossroads Pennsylvania on December 27, 1925 to Evelyn (Raker) and Homer Pardoe and soon became the older sister to Faith and Homer. After losing her father and then mother, Arletta, Faith, and Homer moved to Philadelphia to live with her aunt and uncle, Jack and Frances Murphy. It was in this transition that Arletta's founding values were shaped – faith and family. After attending services at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with her aunt, Arletta converted to Catholicism as a teenager. She went on to become an inaugural Bambi as part of the first graduating class of St. Hubert's High School for Girls, class of 1942. In 1945 she married the boy next door, World War II night fighter pilot, George Bateman. Together they had ten children, settling their family in the Torresdale section of Philadelphia as members of St. Katherine of Siena parish in 1948. George, Arletta, and their children were active members of St. Katherine's parish and school community for 70 years, and their children and grandchildren carry on this legacy.
Those who knew Arletta attest to her strong Catholic faith, in particular her devotion to the Blessed Mother and its influence on her role as mother and Mimi (grandmother.) She was a regular attendee at daily Mass and enjoyed traveling to visit shrines locally, nationally, and abroad, often with family in tow. She enjoyed gathering with her family for celebration, particularly celebrations of faith and sacraments. Family birthdays were celebrated with cake and group praying of the rosary. It was her faith that drove her kindness as well – anyone who needed something would find assistance from Arletta. From her support of local organizations to slipping her 43 grandchildren funds and telling them it was to "buy a hot dog" with a kind smile and a wink, she loved with her whole heart. Her door was, quite literally, always open to her children, her grandchildren, the ever growing numbers of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and a litany of canines over the years who would greet you first before being offered some pretzels and ginger ale. Arletta was the calm amongst the busyness inherent in the large family that was her pride and joy.
After passing into eternal life on April 21, 2020, Arletta meets her husband George, her parents, brother Homer, daughter Jocelyn, grandson Kevin, and great-grandson Gabriel in heaven. She is beloved by her children: Bonnie Rambo (Bob), Peggy McKeever (Bill), Eileen Graff (Walt), Pat Bateman, George Bateman (Maureen), Brian Bateman (Cathy), Evelyn Thorpe (the late Bob), the late Jocelyn Chavez (Mark), Mary Helf (the late Michael), and Jeanine Coyne (John). She is also survived by 43 grandchildren, 86 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Services at this time will be held privately; a mass will be held in celebration of her life at a later time. A Catholic prayer service by Msgr. Paul Kennedy will be live streamed on Monday April 27, 2020 at 11:00 AM. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Katherine of Siena Parish, 9700 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114.
