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Helena Corps senior soldier Lynn Batista spreads joy at the corps and a local care home.
When Lynn Batista, 73, moved to Helena, Montana, in 2013 to care for her chronically ill sister, she didn’t know her circle of care would eventually grow to include an entire community.
While she still uses her fingertips, it’s less through traditional caregiving and more through music ministry. Along with playing piano and volunteering for The Salvation Army Helena Corps, her work extends into the broader community at Edgewood Senior Living.
Three days a week, Batista plays hymns and old-time favorites on the spinet piano and reads stories to residents, many of whom live with dementia. While they may not remember names, hearing familiar tunes does something magical.
“They suddenly light up and start singing the words,” Batista said. “It’s incredible.”
Each week features a “Fun Song Singalong” with favorites like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” while another day focuses on spiritual songs.
“We love the old hymns, especially ‘Amazing Grace,’” Batista said. “The residents especially enjoy the children’s songs with all the motions.”
While the smiles in the room prove she brings joy to their days, Batista claims the privilege is hers. “It’s such a blessing to share God’s love through this music ministry,” she said.
“She is very much loved by everyone. We are blessed to have her as part of our church family.”
Major Iva West
It doesn’t matter to Batista that the residents might not remember her; she knows each of them and notices if a regular is missing.
At The Salvation Army, she’s a known presence.
“She is very much loved by everyone,” said Helena Corps Officer Major Iva West. “We are blessed to have her as part of our church family.”
A lifetime of caring
Born in Southern California, Batista spent much of her adult life—nearly 40 years—living in Germany, including four years stationed there with the U.S. Army.
She has spent her life caring for others, beginning as a child helping her mother and brother, who both contracted polio. Later, she cared for stepsons who still live in Germany.
When her brother-in-law asked her to move stateside to help her sister, she didn’t hesitate. She even spent two winters in Helena in 2008 and 2009 to ensure she could handle the mountain cold.
During that time, she met a soldier at the corps when she’d stopped in to ask if there was a piano for her “itching fingers” to play. She kept in touch via email until she moved back permanently in 2013, so the transition to volunteering was seamless.
“When I came back—it was a no-brainer,” she said. “What church am I going to go to? The Salvation Army, of course.”
‘Sharing God’s love’
Batista learned to play piano as a young teenager. Her mother traded out ironing work for the lessons and she practiced diligently for every minute her mom spent sliding the hot iron.
While she only had two years of lessons, she made good use of them and has spent her lifetime playing piano. It was only natural that upon moving to Helena, she’d put her talent to use.
A year before her sister passed away, in 2022, Batista remarried. They had been married for only a year before her husband suffered a stroke. She’s now his full-time caregiver.
“My sister was passing away as my husband was in the hospital recuperating from the stroke,” she said.
For Batista, the joy of the Lord is truly her strength, and she continues to serve others with a joy that is contagious.
“I don’t know how people get through life with all of its ups and downs without faith,” she said. “He tells us, ‘You will have trials and tribulations, and it will seem like the whole world is ganging up on you, but I will get you through it.’”
Batista believes his promise.
“I have joy because I know he’s going to see me through,” she said.
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