Elizabeth Utter Nissen, a long time resident of Weekapaug, R.I. and

New Canaan, died peacefully Saturday morning. She was 79 years

old.

Born in Providence, R.I., Betsey was the daughter of Mildred Fiske

Utter and Henry Edwin Utter of Providence, where she lived and

attended the Lincoln School before attending Wellesley College.

She graduated in 1951 and was married to the late William Carl

Nissen in 1953. She is a proud member of the Colonial Dames, the

New Canaan Sewing Group, and active community volunteer with,

among others, the New Canaan Public Library and Staying Put of

New Canaan. After multiple moves between the coasts they settled

around New York City and in New Canaan in 1972 where she raised

her family.

Mrs. Nissen is survived by her brother and his wife, Dr. Wilson and

Isabel Utter. Her daughter Amy Bigelow lives with her husband,

Brian, and two daughters, Sarah and Ellen, in Essex Junction,

Vermont, and her son Carl of Farmington, Connecticut, his wife

Kiki, and four children, Kristin, Willie, Kellie and Katie.

Betsey’s family would like to thank Dr. Patricia Long- Dabbah for her loving

care and friendship over the past 4 ½ years.

A memorial service will be held at eleven in the morning Wednesday

at the First Congregational Church of New Canaan with a reception

to follow at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the

New Canaan Library, the Stamford Cancer Foundation, or the First

Congregational Church.

Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., in charge of arrangements.