Resident Spotlight: Ione Battles

Born in Glen Cove, New York, and raised in Port Washington, Long Island, Ione Battles grew up surrounded by family, music, and love. Her father, Charles Newbold, was a Marine in World War II, and her mother, Louise, worked as a riveter during the war before becoming a homemaker. As one of five children, Ione grew up alongside her four brothers — Laurie, Kern, Robin, and Gordon.

She attended school in Port Washington until the fourth grade, when her family moved to Huntington Beach, California, and she attended Sunset Beach School. After returning to New York, she graduated from Port Washington High School. Ione fondly remembers singing around the piano with her family and selling her mother’s homemade fudge and divinity at Christmastime.

Active and involved from a young age, Ione was a Girl Scout and a dedicated choir member. After high school, she moved to Vermont and worked on the Button Family Farm, where she met Edward Button. The couple dated for two years before marrying, and not long after, Edward joined the Navy. During his time in the service, they lived in several states, including Michigan and Virginia, while Ione managed life on the family farm and cared for their growing family.

Together, Ione and Edward raised four children — Debbie (David), Terry, Mike (Michelle), and Andy (Tracy) — and later welcomed six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. After Edward retired, the family lived in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Edward worked as an electronics technician, and Ione built a career as a bookkeeper and bank teller at Granite Bank before retiring. She later worked at Brookhaven Home for Boys and even ran a daycare during Edward’s Navy years.

After 37 wonderful years of marriage, Edward passed away. Some time later, while volunteering at the State House, Ione reconnected with Jim Battles, a friend of Edward’s from the Navy. Their shared memories grew into a deep companionship, and six months later, they married. Ione and Jim spent 15 happy years in Vermont before moving to Florida, where they enjoyed traveling and going on cruises. One of Ione’s favorite adventures was a two-week trip through several national parks in the West.

Ione has always loved reading, sewing, cooking, and knitting. A devoted member of the Methodist Church, she has volunteered in many roles — from helping with the food pantry to serving as library treasurer and property lister.

Today, Ione and Jim reside at Legacy Village of Cleveland, where they moved to be closer to family. She enjoys socializing, making friends, participating in therapy activities, and playing dominoes. Her warmth, faith, and positive spirit brighten the lives of everyone around her.



We are blessed that Ione chose Legacy Village to call home.