Obituary of Barbara A. Nissen

WARRENSBURG: Barbara A. Nissen, 91, of Warrensburg, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Glens Falls Hospital.

Barbara was born in Indian Lake, NY to Wilhelmina (Carroll) and Gordon LaVergne on January 26, 1933. She graduated from The Crane School of Music at Potsdam College, NY with a degree in Music Education in 1953. During her time in college, she had the honor of performing with the school chorus at Carnegie Hall.

While in Potsdam, she met her future husband, Richard Nissen, a student at Clarkson College. They married in 1953.  Warrensburg became home for the young family in 1963. 

In addition to raising her family, Barbara taught piano lessons for many years. After her children were grown, she worked remotely (starting in the days of cassette tapes and pre-internet) as a medical transcriptionist until she retired at 80 years old. 

Barbara took great pleasure in her flowers and could often be seen on the porch tending to her flower boxes and baskets. She was skilled in canning and making jams and jellies from the garden. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting (or unknitting as Richard would say) and made sweaters and baby blankets for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and charity.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Richard Nissen; parents Wilhelmina (LaVergne) Carpenter and Gordon LaVergne; beloved Nana, Olive Carroll; brothers Phillip LaVergne and William Carpenter.

Barbara is survived by her children, Julia Pearson (Denny), Janet Nissen, Richard Nissen (Marie), Michael Nissen (Jennifer), her brother Dick LaVergne (Judy) as well as six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the March of Dimes or Richards Library.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 PM on Friday, April 26, 2024 at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, 3802 Main St., Warrensburg.  Family and friends may pay their respects from 12:30 - 1PM prior to Mass. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, Hudson St., Warrensburg.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.