Elizabeth Nissen Obituary (01/04/1954 – 01/07/2025) – Ann Arbor, MI

Elizabeth A. Nissen (aka Beth/Nis/Becky) died at home on January 7, 2025, three days after her 71st birthday.

She was a veteran news, war, sports science, and arts correspondent who worked in network television with ABC News (“World News Tonight” and “Nightline”), cable news (CNN “NewsNight”), public television (WGBH “Nova Science Now”), online (CNN.com, NBCLearn.com), and in print media (The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek). She was also a co-founder and Senior Producer of NBC Learn, the educational division of NBC News.

She is survived by five of her six siblings: Mary Nissen Whaley and her husband Jay, Anna Nissen Barrett and her husband Tim, James Nissen, Eva Nissen Lewin, and Steve Nissen. While she had no children of her own, she was a beloved aunt to nine nieces and nephews, all of whom admired and cherished her.

She is predeceased by her brother Jon (1995); her mother, Patricia A. Bonnet (1997); and her father, Eugene W. Nissen (2021).

A lifelong reader, learner, and teacher, Beth was passionate about communicating information in a relatable way. She prepared her students to be critical thinkers, and helped teachers improve methods and techniques for more effective instruction.

She was a caregiver, a true oldest—most responsible—sibling. She was also an active member of her local Rotary Club, and The Adelphies group at 1st Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor at the time of her passing.

She is remembered for her wit, her knowledge, her compassion, and her nurturing of friendships through extensive personal correspondence. She was an avid Wolverine—and Lions—fan.

As Beth requested, no memorial service is planned at this time. Beth did ask that, if they desired, her friends or associates gather in the individual groups in which they associated with her to remember her and share their stories of her.