Charlotte Batigne Obituary

Batigne, Charlotte Aloys Van den Berghe, 95, of Occoquan, VA died Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the home of her loving son. She was born in Antwerp, Belgium on January 30, 1912 raised and educated in Paris, France where her parents settled after World War I. Mrs. Batigne came to this country in February 1946 following her American born French-American husband Jean Rucker Batigne who was assigned by the French government as Purchasing Officer for the Marshall Plan. Mrs. Batigne started working for the French Embassy after the birth of her son, Rene for different sectors: French Supply Mission 1949, Counsulate 1950, Chancery 1951 where she became the secretary of the First Counselor. In 1957 she transferred to the Commercial Counselor until her retirement in 1977 as his secretary. Mrs. Batigne was awarded the French National Order of Merit, the second highest decoration awarded to a civilian, of which she was very proud, as she was of the Bronze plaque awarded to her by the French War Veterans. Mrs. Batigne and her husband were involved in the French Resistance movement during World War II. During one of her crossings of the demarcation line she was caught by the Germans and spent one month in prison in Bourges. Mr. and Mrs. Batigne lived in Washington since 1946. They bought their house in Occoquan in 1956 and spent their week ends and vacations there. After the death of her husband of 54 years died there on Memorial Day 1998. Mrs. Batigne took permanent residence in Occoquan, to be close to her children, her son Rene, his wife Susan; whom she loved like a daughter and grandsons: Paul and Michael, all of Woodbridge, VA and "adopted" grandson Fred Metzgers and wife Jennifer of Cary, N.C. Besides her children Mrs. Batigne leaves a much loved niece Caroline BatigneSanchez of Ashton, MD and her children, a nephew Daniel Batigne of Annapolis, MD and his children, two nieces in Paris, France and children. Mrs. Batigne had a beautiful professionally trained singing voice; in 1950 she gave several recitals of French songs at the National Gallery (broadcast by WGMS), the Phillips Collections, The Arts Club, and the Textile Museum. She was signed by the Ambassador to sing the Marseillaise at the Embassy on Bastille Day for many years, and at the Annual Veterans Ball where she loved to sing both the Marseillaise and the Star Spangled Banner. Family and Friends are invited to celebrate Charlotte's Life on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Mountcastle Funeral Home, 13318 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191. Funeral Service will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Pohick Church Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made in her name to either Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Woodbridge, VA or to Concordia Lutheran Church of Triangle, VA.

This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).