Elizabeth S. Van Nest

Elizabeth "Betty" Van Nest, 82, passed away on June 3, 2024 after a long battle with myasthenia gravis.

Betty was born in Trenton, New Jersey on November 19, 1942 to Nicholas and Elizabeth Stilwell. She was married to her late husband, George, on June 27, 1964 and enjoyed a fifty-six year marriage until his passing in 2021.

Betty taught elementary school in Batavia, New York for twenty-six years. As a long-term member of St. Paul Lutheran Church she also taught Sunday school for many years.

She was very active in the community, serving in various roles at St. Paul Lutheran Church, and was a member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League and on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross. Betty also served as Budget Ambassador for Batavia City Schools and was part of the Genesee County Retired Teachers' Association.

Betty loved visiting the ocean along the Jersey Shore at Long Beach Island with family. She also enjoyed camping in the 1000 Islands and Letchworth each year with family and friends. She attended many of her grandchildrens' soccer, track, cross country and hockey events.

Betty is survived by her brother Nicholas Stillwell of Trenton, New Jersey; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janet and Kenneth Van Nest of Robbinsville, New Jersey. Her surviving children, and grandchildren are Betsey (Chris, Alison and Laura) and George (Veronica, Jordan and Tyler). She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in the Stilwell and Van Nest families.

She is predeceased by her sister Nancy Breyer.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, June 7 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 31 Washington Avenue, Batavia NY. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Saturday June 8 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or St. Paul School.