Wanda Sturtevant, a dedicated social worker and licensed alcohol and drug counselor in Portland, who offered hope and healing to the clients she served, died Thursday after a long fight against cancer. She was 62.

Ms. Sturtevant was a case manager and counselor at Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Access Program for the past six years. Her office was located on St. John Street in Portland. There, she worked with people struggling with alcoholism, addiction, chronic homelessness and mental health issues. She was also involved in a women’s group and relapse prevention group that meets regularly at her office.

“She was one of the most caring, compassionate and supportive people you could ever meet,” said Robin Hughes, a community support worker/case manager at Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Access program. “She absolutely loved her job and the clients we serve. She worked tirelessly as an advocate for the clients.”

Hughes talked about Ms. Sturtevant’s passion for her work and willingness to go the extra mile. She said some of their clients are homeless and staying at shelters while struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. “They have burned all of their bridges with other treatment providers and landlords. Wanda would leave no door unopened. She would be out there searching for an apartment for someone … for a landlord to take a chance on someone,” Hughes said. “She gave so much of herself to the job. We all struggle with it.”

Rita McPhillips, another social worker for the access program, spoke to the support Ms. Sturtevant offered to her colleagues on a daily basis.

“She was really wonderful to work with,” McPhillips said. “She was great to turn to and run things by. She gave great advice and had really strong clinical skills. … There was a lot of laughter. She was a sweet, kind and gentle presence.”

Ms. Sturtevant, of Westbrook, worked more than 20 years in the field. From 2005 to 2008, she worked at the Cumberland County Jail, providing assessments, psychiatric services and individual and group counseling for inmates. She worked briefly at Sweetser Family Institute and Crossroads for Women in Windham. She also spent 16 years as a food addiction and chemical dependency consultant.

“She genuinely cared about people and saw the best in them,” said Kate Axelsen Foster, one of Ms. Sturtevants’ three children. “She always had hope that people could turn their lives around with a little support.”

Ms. Sturtevant was a constant source of love and support for her children.

“She was super supportive,” her daughter said. “She had this unconditional love for us, like we could never do wrong. She was always there for us, always there to support us. She was very proud of us. Everyone tells us that, too.”

Outside work, she had an interest in photography and enjoyed cooking, going to the beach, and being with family.

“She made everything fun,” her daughter said.

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