Mary Elizabeth Nienstedt, known to many as Mary Beth, passed away on April 23, 2023, in Portage, Michigan. Born on June 11, 1948, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she was the loving daughter of the late Jack and Betty Nienstedt. Mary Beth is survived by her siblings, Barbara Jean (Michael) Buttell, Archbishop John Nienstedt, Richard Nienstedt, Michael Nienstedt, and Corinne Nienstedt, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

After graduating from St. Paul High School, Mary Beth continued her education at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She later pursued her passion for nursing by obtaining her Master's degree in Nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Mary Beth was a dedicated and compassionate psychiatric nurse practitioner for over 50 years, primarily serving the Detroit and Western Michigan areas. She was an advocate for her clients and a mentor to her peers, making great strides in the mental health communities of Kalamazoo, Hastings, Coldwater, Battle Creek, and Owosso, Michigan.

Mary Beth was a loving sister, aunt, and great-aunt who cherished her family and friends. She was a devoted cat-mom and had a deep love for animals. In her free time, Mary Beth enjoyed quilting and gathering with friends at restaurants to catch up on each other's lives. Her firecracker sense of humor was a joy to all who knew her, and she lived life with style in the fast lane, embracing every moment with no regrets and a strong will.

Courageous, passionate, and loving are just a few words that best describe Mary Beth. She faced her battles with breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and heart disease with incredible strength and resilience. Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched, both professionally and personally.

Mary Beth's memory will be cherished by her family, friends, and the countless individuals she helped throughout her career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Her dedication to her work, her love for her family, and her zest for life will never be forgotten.


Funeral Monday, June 19, 2023, Family will receive friends 9:30 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10am at St. Paul Catholic Church 157 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit