Obituary of Wendy Bateson

Wendy (Helsby) Bateson passed away suddenly on Friday June 15, 2018 at her home in Monroe Township, NJ at 76 years old. Wendy was born and raised in Leigh, Lancashire, UK where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Nottingham University. She came to the US in 1964 and lived originally in Queens, NY. She later moved to Edgewater NJ before settling in Monroe Township in 1983. Wendy became a naturalized US Citizen in 1988. She worked as an independent software design and development consultant from 1964 until the time of her death. Wendy was a member and former president of the local branch of the Soroptimist Society in Edgewater and a member of The Orchid Society, Princeton NJ. Together with her husband she established an engineering scholarship awarded yearly to a Monroe Township High School Student. She generously supported many animal charities. Wendy was an extraordinary woman with an unparalleled zest for life. Her passions included travel, love and advocacy of all animals, pottery making, bee keeping, honey making, reading, gardening and politics. She was extremely proud of becoming an American Citizen and loved her adopted homeland. She married the love of her life, Simon V. Bateson in 1992 and they spent a wonderful 25 years of marriage and partnership together enjoying a rich and full life sharing many interests, attending local and NY theatre, opera and musical concerts. They shared a love for world travel where Wendy touched many lives and made many lifelong friends. Wendy was a superb cook and a warm and welcoming hostess - her friends and family enjoyed attending parties and gatherings at their home. Wendy will be remembered as a generous, gracious and exceptional human being who is irreplaceable and inspired everyone she touched in her life. Wendy is pre-deceased by her parents, Arnold & Constance Helsby, her first husband Frank Seiter and her mother-in-law, Janet Bateson to whom she was very close. She leaves behind her husband Simon V. Bateson of Monroe Township and three step-children, Katherine M. J. Bateson-Chandler and husband Carlos Chandler, Gary Seiter, and Tracy Seiter-Magsamen and husband Gary, 2 step-grandchildren Brittany and Luke Magsamen; sister-in-law Julia Read, nieces and nephews Sean, Conway, Heath and Amber; dear friend, Vicki Stent, friend and ex sister-in-law Linda Dexter, husband Martin, and step-grandson Ben Dexter and his fiancée Bella. Wendy had many other extended and loved family members and innumerable friends. A private cremation took place under the direction and supervision of the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, 205 Rhode Hall Road, Monroe Twp., NJ 08831. Memorialization will take place on Sunday July 8th at 12.00 noon at 154 Federal Road, Monroe NJ 08831. More details will be duly posted on Wendy’s facebook page if you are linked and we will also be sending out an email announcement shortly. For those who desire, and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Animal Shelter, www.kingdomanimalshelter.com.