Obituary: Britta Karen Kivell, 65, Of Milford

Obituary via Cody White Funeral Home

Britta Karen (Schneider) Kivell, 65, of Milford, CT passed away too soon, on February 12, 2023, after a courageous, four-year battle with cancer.

She was born in Berlin, Germany, on December 19, 1957 to Walter and Brigitte (Fenske) Schneider. A year later, the family emigrated to America. She grew up in Westbury, Long Island, earned a BA from the State University of New York at Oswego, Class of 1979; and a JD from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law in Malibu, CA, Class of 1982. She established a private law practice and was a counsel for Deloitte the last thirteen years of her legal career.

Britta is survived by Michael, her beloved husband of 32 years; her son, Sam; her daughter-in-law, Jennifer; her grandson, Joey; her father; her stepmother, Gila Schneider; her aunt, Dorothea Marchesseau; her cousin, Lennart (Lenny) Schatzschneider, his wife Lina and his daughter Jasmine; her cousin Ralph Schatzschneider and his wife Tina; her cousin Michael Schatzschneider; her uncle, Peter Fenske; and her granddog, Penny, plus many other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her mother; her uncle, Frank Marchesseau; her uncle, Helmut Schatzschneider; her grandmother, Ruth Fenske; and grandmother, Selma Schatzschneider; as well as her dog, Napper, and cat, Toonces.

Britta prioritized her family, and took time off from work to care for Sam when he was very young. She was always a warm and gracious hostess for relatives and friends. She researched her family’s genealogy extensively, interviewing many relatives to leave a detailed history for Sam and future generations. She was a devoted grandmother, mother and wife.

More than anything, Britta and Michael loved taking family and friends on their sailboat, Seahound, on Long Island Sound and its harbors. She loved to travel, visiting Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Portugal, France, and Iceland among other countries. She read voraciously and was fluent in German.

Britta was a dedicated volunteer at Purple Pantry Boxes in Milford. She was a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, NY Bar Association, Milford Bar Association, and a former member of The Milford Network of Executive Women, The Junior Women’s Club, and Easton Little League Baseball. She will be missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.
A celebration of life is scheduled for March 4, 2023, 2:30-5:30, at the Milford Elks Lodge, 124 New Haven Avenue, Milford, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to PurplePantryBoxes.com or the Connecticut Humane Society (cthumane.org).