Dilla June (Adams) Battista, 94, a lifelong resident of Duxbury, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday April 4. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years Al Battista.
Dilla was born July 28, 1927 in Wood haven, New York. Daughter of George and Alice (Dixon) Adams. Dilla graduated from Needham High School in 1945 then moved to Bridgewater to attend Bridgewater State College, graduating with a teaching degree in 1950.
Dilla was preceded in death by her older brother George. She was the beloved mother of her oldest son, Mark Battista, his wife Becky, her daughter Bonny (Battista) Baldwin, her husband Mike, and her youngest son Dana Battista and his wife Missy. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
After meeting in Bridgewater, Dilla and Al moved to Duxbury in 1954 where they built their house on land they purchased for $900 where the house still sits today. Dilla began teaching elementary school in Whitman before taking a job at the Alden School where she taught for over 32 years.
Dilla was a devoted educator who loved all her students. She loved to reminisce about her past classes and students, (she never forgot a student’s name) and wanted to always hear about how they were doing now. There was not a day that went by when someone wouldn’t say, “I had Mrs. Battista as my teacher, she was my favorite.” After retirement she was a volunteer at the Duxbury Free Library.
Dilla was happiest when taking care of her grandchildren. Known lovingly as “Nanny” to all, she would spend hours at the Duxbury Free Library reading and attending story time with her grandchildren. Later in life she would attend all their games and events with her husband, Al.
In 2000, Nanny was happy to help her family with many projects at Duxbury Beach Park and Blakeman’s during the summer months. She loved to sit at table number 15 and greet her past students, friends and family. She will be missed dearly by all who would see her there each season.
Visiting will be held at Shepherd Funeral Home 216 Main St. in Kingston on Monday April 11 from 5-7 p.m. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions in her name can be made to Duxbury Free Library, 77 Alden St., Duxbury MA. 02332