Elizabeth Stahnten Hancock

Elizabeth Stahnten HancockAugust 31, 1951 - December 14, 2025

Elizabeth lived an adventurous life and truly made the most of every single day she was given. She was born in Orange, New Jersey, where she grew up alongside her sister Nancy and her parents, Carl and Lillian Stahnten.

She loved being on the water, surfing and sailing, and creating beautiful art, all of which inspired a lifetime full of adventure—from living as an artist in a tipi in Woodstock, New York, to making her home aboard a sailboat while exploring the East Coast, and finally settling down in the small coastal town of Oriental, North Carolina, where she made a living creating marine canvas, and later married someone who completely shared her love for the water and for life.

Elizabeth was known by her many friends for her positive outlook and her zest for life. She loved a good party, dancing in grocery store aisles, and being a loyal friend to anyone who needed one. She had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and loved.

Most of all, Elizabeth knew that true happiness and peace came from knowing Jesus. That faith brings comfort to those who loved her, knowing that the moment she left this earthly body, she woke up in Heaven — welcomed into the greatest celebration she had ever known.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband, Jimmy Hancock; her sister, Nancy Zebrowski and brother-in-law, Gerry; her daughter, Chenoah Styron and son-in-law, Mike; daughter-in-law, Morgan Hancock; her grandchildren, Alex Styron, Emily Styron Thomas, and Grace Styron Browning, Kayden Knowles, Reagan Hancock, and Chastity Fulcher; and her great-grandchildren, Mason, Jameson, Eston, Cash, Gus, Panda, Sailor, and Freya. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Lillian Stahnten, her stepsons, Chris and Mark Hancock, and her great-grandson, Finley Thomas.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.