Elizabeth Steppan OBITUARY

Elizabeth “Ann” Cox Steppan passed away in Berkeley, CA, on Oct. 16, 2023, two months shy of her 100th birthday. She lived in Piedmont, CA, for nearly all of her life but more recently was a resident at Lake Park Retirement Center in Oakland and at Elegance Berkeley. Survived by her sons Mark B. Steppan of Oakland and Scott J. Steppan of Tallahassee, FL, their wives Alison F. Steppan and Ann M. Kawamoto, grandson Matthew A. Steppan of Oakland, and nephews John E. Cox of Ypsilanti MI and Chris S. Berg of Oakland and their families. Preceded in death by her husband of over 45 years Victor H. Steppan, who passed in 1998 and was the owner of Steppan’s Montclair Cameras and Steppan’s Scenic Tours. Daughter of Thomas A. Cox and Francis “Bernice” Bainum Cox, sister to Thomas Jean Cox (deceased), born in St. Louis before moving to Piedmont at three years of age. Attended Crocker Highlands Grammar School and Piedmont Junior and Senior High Schools. Previously married to James Arbios.Ann was the least prejudiced person you would ever know; it never occurred to her that people were different, they were just people. Ann and her mother, dear friend Barbara Manakoff, brother Tom, uncles and father all worked in the Kaiser shipyards during WWII. Ann and her mother laid out the full-scale blueprints, thus helping to build and repair ships, services that they took great pride in. In the 21st century, she worked diligently through the Federation of Women’s Clubs to recognize all the “Rosies,” helping to establish the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond. Her service and leadership in philanthropic groups included the Montclair, Ebell Lakeview, and California Federation of Women’s Clubs.Ann greatly enjoyed traveling with her husband Vic, whom she met through the “Tri-Ms” (Mr., Miss, Mrs.) social club on a ski-trip. Those journeys started as family vacations across the western US and Canada but included many trips to Europe, plus China, India, and New Zealand. Ann enjoyed attending the opera and symphony. She also caught the photography bug from Vic and her sons, and was an avid photographer throughout her later years. She loved sushi (“yum!”), animals, and helping others, as did Vic, whether family, friends, or strangers.