The daughter of John William Batten and Anna Bell Zorn Batten, she was born on July 27, 1913, in Oak Park. She was preceded in death by six brothers: William, Cletus, Charles, George, Ray and Robert Batten; and is survived by two sisters, Rosemary Batten Wilkin and Barbara Batten Ensalaco; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Sister Thomas was taught by the Ursuline Sisters at St. Joseph Parish Grade School in Downers Grove and after eighth grade boarded for high school at the Ursuline Academy in Springfield. She entered the Ursuline Order in July 1933 and made vows in July 1936. She studied at Springfield Junior College in Illinois, Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wis., and Webster College in St. Louis. She had a diverse record of ministry assignments from cooking to pastoral care, and she was also a primary teacher. Her service took her to Kirkwood, Jennings, Arcadia and Crystal City in Missouri; Springfield, Decatur, Oak Park and Alton in Illinois; and Frontenac, Minn.

She retired first at Loretto Center in Springfield and finally at Queen of Peace Healthcare Center in Alton. She was a participant in the Southern Illinois University Alzheimer's Research Program.

A funeral Mass was celebrated June 12 at the Ursuline Convent Chapel, with Father Jack Lau, OMI, presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Queen of Peace Healthcare Center, 845 Danforth Street, Alton, IL 62002.

Staten-Fine Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.