Elisabeth Arnoldine McNivens-Ernst

Elisabeth A. McNivens-Ernst, 99, of Old Saybrook, died peacefully on February 27, 2026. Elisabeth, “Betty”, was born on December 15, 1926 in Duisburg, Germany. Born the seventh of eight children, she is survived by her younger sister Hanni, of Duisburg, Germany.

She was predeceased by her three sons, Frank C. McNivens, James C. McNivens, and Michael J. McNivens. She was also predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Edward Ernst, her first husband, James J. McNivens, and her dear friend and companion, Daniel F. Byrne.

After emigrating to the United States with her first husband in the early 1950s, Betty applied her business education as the owner of a dry cleaning business, “World Cleaners”, and dress shop, “Betty’s Dress Shop”, both in Browns Mills, NJ. Betty spent the last 50 years living on the Connecticut shoreline, first in Old Saybrook and later in Waterford. She loved being by the water, spending countless hours on the water fishing and kayaking and at the beach in CT and in the Bahamas.

Betty was incredibly proud of her American citizenship, and for her sons who served in three branches of the military, the Army (Frank), Navy (James), and Air Force (Michael), although she never lost touch with her German heritage. She remained in close contact with her sisters and extended family in Germany, traveling home every year when she was able to.

Betty was a natural entertainer, always welcoming in neighbors, family, and friends with a smile, a warm meal, or ‘coffee klatch’. She had strong friendships from all the different eras of her life, keeping in close contact with friends and neighbors from Browns Mills, NJ, Fenbrook Rd in Old Saybrook, the Bahamas, Delray Beach, FL, and Jordan Cove in Waterford.

She was a skilled cook and baker, known for her German potato salad, Black Forest cake, sauerbraten, and countless other German recipes. She instilled her spirit of hard work and joy of life in her children, and later her grandchildren, hosting them for summertime ‘Betty’s Bootcamp’ visits where there was always time for fun (as long as your chores were finished first).

Betty lived life to the fullest and her resiliency and tenacity were a testament to the many hardships she overcame throughout her life. She was a natural storyteller and would recount the more challenging times of her life by ending with, “…it’s all in a lifetime.”

Betty was a loving “Oma” (grandmother), and is survived by her grandchildren, Elisabeth (Steven) Matuska of Niantic; Megan McNivens of Mansfield; Anna McNivens of New Jersey; Margaret (Doug) McNivens of Montana; James C. McNivens of North Carolina; and Jeff (Paige) Corwin of North Carolina; four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. She is survived by her daughter-in-laws, Virginia McNivens of Tierra Verde, FL and Linnet McNivens of Old Saybrook. She is also survived by her chosen family, her husband Edward’s children, who she loved as if they were her own, Judy (John) Driscoll, Dave (Beverly) Ernst, step-grandchildren Sara (Chris) Abbott, Kaitlynn Driscoll, Michael Driscoll, and Ashley (Jay) Bushey, and two great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Apple Rehab in Old Saybrook for taking excellent care of Betty for the past two years. Burial and service information is forthcoming.