Stephanie Patricia “Pixie” (Van Sant) Betzold

CAPE ELIZABETH – Stephanie Patricia “Pixie” Van Sant Betzold passed away April 23, 2025, at the age of 74.

Stephanie was born Sept. 10, 1950, in Miami, Fla., the middle child of Sallie Van Sant Stratton. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Va., class of 1968. She went on to receive training at the Washington School for Secretaries in Washington D.C.

Stephanie wore many hats throughout her career as an Administrative Assistant, including as a legal secretary, helping students in the guidance office at Cape Elizabeth High School, as well as the position of District Scheduler for former Maine 1st District United States Congressman Thomas Allen. She retired as an Administrative Assistant to the Clerk of Courts at the United States Federal District Court in Portland.

After retirement, Stephanie began the study of watercolor painting, which would eventually take her all the way to Italy in pursuit of new techniques. Her watercolor painting of the three iconic and historic 19th Century South Portland fishing shacks, destroyed by a January 2024 storm, were exhibited at her local library. Stephanie’s home became an art gallery for her beautiful and prolific paintings.

Stephanie’s excellence extended to her outstanding baking skills, in particular cookies and her superlative pie-making skills, which she loved to share with family and friends.

Once a friend of Stephanie’s – always a friend of Stephanie’s. Her lifelong friendships and family relationships gave her much fulfillment and security.

Stephanie is survived by her loving son and pride and joy, Nicholas John Betzold; her siblings, Robert Van Sant and Pamela “Sam” (Van Sant) Mensink; sister-in-law, Barbara Van Sant, brother-in-law, Robert Mensink; nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Phyllis (Betzold) Merriam.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her husband, John Wistar Betzold, Jr.

Stephanie’s family would like to express their profound gratitude to her live-in caregiver, Sadika Munkaila and The Grande’s Lilac Trace Memory Care staff as well as her many wonderful friends and neighbors that aided in her care.

A celebration of Stephanie’s life will take place Saturday, May 31 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Elizabeth Hobbs Hospitality Center located at the back of Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland.

Condolences may be expressed online at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com