Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" (Daley) Ficken

Jefferson Township: Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Ficken (Mema), 70, of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, passed away on Patriot’s Day - September 11, 2025. Betsy was born on November 23, 1954, and spent most of her life in Mt. Hope, Jefferson Township and her beloved Ortley Beach. 

Our mom worked as an office manager at Direct Mail Service and Atlantic Hematology and Oncology. However, one of her life’s dreams became reality when she moved to Ortley Beach and got a job at the Magical Carousel Shop on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. In her later years, Betsy became a caregiver and worked privately for her loved ones’ friends and families.    

Betsy dedicated her life to serving others. As a Board Member for Rolling Thunder National and an auxiliary member for Wharton American Legion Post 91, she spent most of her free time attending events that supported veterans. One place that held a special place in her heart was the All-Veteran’s Memorial where she volunteered each year to make sure our POW/MIAs are never forgotten. Betsy’s love for this country and the people who protected it was unmatched.

Betsy was the heart of our family — our safe place, our biggest cheerleader, and the one who could make any moment feel special. She loved deeply and without hesitation. Her happiest moments were the ones spent surrounded by her family, laughing around the kitchen table, celebrating holidays, or just sitting side by side talking about life.

Her friends were like family to her too. She had a gift for making people feel loved and included, and she cherished those friendships with all her heart. Whether it was a quick text or phone call to check in, a warm hug hello, or a thoughtful gesture “just because,” she showed her love in a thousand quiet ways every single day.

To know her was to be loved by her — and her love was unconditional, fierce, and enduring. Though our hearts are broken, we are forever grateful for the time we had with her, and for the love she poured into all of us.

She will live on in every smile she inspired, every memory she helped create, and every heart she touched.

Betsy was predeceased by her husband, John Douglas Ficken. If you were lucky enough to have ever spent time with these two, you know that their love story was magical and unwavering. She was also predeceased by her brothers Jack, Tommy, Jimmy and Frankie, her sister, Trudy, and her parents Mary and Francis Daley. 

Betsy is survived by her daughter, Shelli Daley Williams and her wife Dawn of Franklin Park, NJ, her son William Knipper IV and his wife Renee, of North Las Vegas, NV. 

Mema’s grandchildren were her entire life. MJ, John Liam, Archer, Sully, William, Michael, Gbola and Amethyst were, without doubt, the center of her universe. No number of miles or amount of time would keep her away from making sure all eight knew they were loved and supported, no matter what.

Mema was also blessed with her first great-grandchild this July, Scarlet Ella. Seeing Betsy with the next generation of our amazing family was a gift that we will cherish.

Betsy is also survived by her sister, Mary Ellen Koncak of Vestal, NY, her brother-in-law JB Bodine of Granbury, TX and her sister-in-law Jill Daley of Wharton, NJ; Her husband’s family - Daniel and Maureen Ficken of Los Angeles, California and Mark and Barbara Ficken of Wanaque, NJ.

Continuing with her love of family, Betsy is survived by her favorite nieces and nephews: Johnny and his wife Serenity, Anne Marie, Kelli and her husband Patrick, Kimberli and her husband Michael, Tammy, Steve and his wife Laura, Jesse, and Mary Frances and her husband Glenn. The love in Betsy’s heart was infinite. She also adored her many great nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, Audrey, Spencer, Colton, Parker, Jessica, Rory, Sarah, Hugh, Adam, Meghan, and Katie.

Betsy formed amazing bonds with her friends and the friends of her loved ones. They became her family, and she loved everyone to the beach and back.

She will be missed. Forever.

Keep the Faith, Love the Family. It’s a good one. 

A memorial service will be held 4:00 PM this Friday, September 19th at All Veterans Memorial Park, 30 Flanders Road, Budd Lake, NJ in conjunction with the All-Veterans Memorial National POW MIA weekend. Betsy’s Rolling Thunder and American Legion brothers and sisters will ride into the memorial with her Rolling Thunder vest. The ceremony will include remarks from her daughter and the lighting of the memorial flame that will burn while the names of our POW MIAs are read over a 24 hour period. All are invited to attend. 

A Celebration of Life for Betsy will be held 11:00 AM on November 22, 2025 at the Wharton American Legion Post 91, 99 North Main Street, Wharton, NJ 07885. We invite all who knew and loved our mother to join us that day to share memories of a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking that donations be made to the following:

  Wreaths Across America.

If you would like to mail a check, please fill out the donation form found on the TRIBUTE WALL tab and return it to the address listed within. Thank you. 

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