His Women

The story, Cat Skinner, is not only a story of a young man finding his way and learning what’s important in life, it’s about the women who influenced him. There were six. All of these women, whether they assumed the Bateman name in marriage or were born to it, were survivors whose strength and perseverance becomes more evident as the story goes on.

Webster Warren Bateman’s mother, Dena, is initially seen as cold and detached, preferring her boys stay out of trouble and out of sight. Once you see her life circumstances in the 1920’s, you understand her motives.

Toots, Webb’s older sister, and the oldest of six children takes on the role of mother hen to her wayward brothers and younger sisters. She fills the emotional void Dena can’t muster because she’s running a hotel and restaurant to keep the family afloat financially.

Dorothy, Webb’s first wife, is initially in love with the concept of marriage and family, but once she experiences the reality of being married to a man whose work comes first, finds her own strength to survive and make her own way.

Blanche, Webb’s youngest sister, gives birth at sixteen to a baby boy she gives up for adoption. Although she regrets her “mistake,” she longs for a relationship with a child and determines she’ll make something of herself.

Laura, Webb’s mother-in-law (Dorothy’s mother) has experienced extreme loss, the death of five of her twelve children, but fights fiercely to raise her granddaughter, LaReta.

And LaReta, Webb’s three-year-old daughter, who doesn’t understand her mother’s death, is determined to “find my mommy.”

While Cat Skinner has an end when LaReta is three-years-old, her real life story goes on as does her determination. Today, “Lore” as she nicknamed herself years ago, is nearly 81-years-old. She has survived two divorces, nervous breakdowns, breast cancer, surgeries, and is now facing the challenge of bone cancer and its treatment. But she’s focusing on the positive.

Lore has five children of whom she’s very proud, grandchildren whom she adores, a beautiful home on a hill and she’s managed her finances and her life with independence and flair. Funny, opinionated, generous, controlling and artistic, Lore is most of all carrying on the Bateman women’s legacy of strength and perseverance.