M. Elizabeth "Betty" Stainton

South Portland – Marion Elizabeth “Betty” Stainton, 101, passed away peacefully at home on January 1, 2026. She was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on December 17, 1924, the daughter of the late Chester LeRoy Yeaton and Marion Louise (Martin) Yeaton, and grew up in Andover, Massachusetts. Betty was predeceased by her two brothers, Robert Yeaton and Francis Yeaton.

Betty married Richard Carlsson in 1944 and began her career as a bookkeeper. In the early 1960’s, she and her husband founded the Carlsson Insurance Agency in New City, NY. Following Richard’s death in 1968, Betty continued to run the business independently until the early 1970s. She later transitioned into a successful career in real estate before retiring.

In October 1969, Betty married Richard Stainton. In 1979, the couple relocated to Laurel Park, North Carolina. Giving back to her community was a defining part of her life. She tutored individuals learning English as a second language. Throughout her life, she was deeply involved in her church communities. A devoted Protestant, she participated in church choirs and volunteered at food banks. Richard Stainton passed away in 2004.

Betty remained intellectually curious and engaged well into her later years. She was an avid reader who loved attending lectures, educational programs, the theater, and the opera. She had a lifelong passion for genealogy and took great pride in learning about and preserving her family history.

She is survived by her partner, David Grossman of South Portland; her daughter and son in law, Joanne and Frank DeBernardo, of Morehead City, North Carolina; her son, Neil Carlsson of Bessemer, Alabama; Christine Leone of Waymart, Pennsylvania; her sisters, Carol Eaton Fortier of Amesbury, Massachusetts, and Linda Yeaton Clark of Pennsylvania; as well as three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and 9 nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held at a later date.