Dina "Dena" Baty

1930 - 2024

Dina Andreoni Baty (Dena), age 93, ascended into heaven on July 23rd, 2024. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 11th, 1930, to immigrant parents from Lucca, Italy, and experienced life, as so many did in the early twentieth century, as a first-born American observing new experiences being interpreted by attitudes and orientations from the "old country". This dichotomy was always a part of her orientation as she experienced life. By design, Dena was "old school" before there was such a thing.

She was a proud member of the St. Thomas High School Class of 1948, and shortly after her academic pursuits concluded she married her loving husband of seventy-five years, Frederick Baty, who predeceased her by thirteen months. Frederick and Dena had three children: Frederick, Karen and Michael.

Dena always excelled at being a supportive wife and mother. She was generous with her time, and her listening skills were the foundation of her gift, not only as a parent but also as a friend. She was particularly artful at shaping the mental skills that her children needed for decision making.

To say that Dena was good with her hands is an understatement. Her talents really did not recognize any boundaries. She was a full-time cook, an as-needed seamstress, a gifted artist, a former musician, an avid gardener, and a talented woodworker all in one. Watching her in action proved to be empowering. She provided "can do" images every day.

While we all admired Dena's selfless devotion to her family, we particularly admired her strength of spirit and grace in the last years of her life. She maintained a positive attitude, never complained, and retained her sense of humor while facing increasingly insurmountable health hurdles. Even at the end she subtly lead by example.

Dena leaves behind her three children: Frederick Baty (Jaymi), Karen Rice (Fred-deceased), and Michael Baty (Janet), as well as seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Dena will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband on Friday, August 2, at 10:00 AM at West Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery.

"Do not go gentle into that good night…" (Dylan Thomas)