Anastasia Steffen Anastasia Steffen died on February 16,

Anastasia Steffen Anastasia Steffen died on February 16, 2024 at UNM Hospital from Cholangiocarcinoma complications. She was a fierce advocate for the things she held dear. Whether it was intrinsic humanity and the dignity of each member, economic equity, defense of the downtrodden, or her family - it was unwise to cross her. A capable mind, she could hear, understand, hold and process many ideas and weigh many sides of an issue while carefully guiding the conclusions. Dr. Steffen's Passion was the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Through its many different names and claims of ownership and attempts at possession she believed in the place itself. She fought (and aided those of like mind) to keep at bay development or bad money - whether private citizens, the rare private entity, the sovereign nations, or the U.S. Government for whom she wore a badge. Ana diligently encouraged women and young women to pursue their dreams - egging them on to rise to their immeasurable capability. She was born in the spring of 1963 to Roger and Fern (nee Smith) and spent her young formative years in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up poor and learned to work hard and keep her eye on the prize, Brilliant as a scientist and an academic, she was referenced and utilized without recognition for her knowledge of Obsidian Hydration in artifact dating. Dr. Steffen also had bad ass flaking skills and threw mad knapping parties where those in attendance could make obsidian popcorn in the coals. She was an important part of the conversations and a diplomat - from friendly parties to Los Ojos Saloon to VCNP Conference rooms to Archeologists and Anthropologists and Geologists (like her) out in the Valles Grande to the Union of Concerned Scientists Congressional Briefings in chambers in D.C. to the World Parks Congress, in Australia, and to the Royal Geographic Society, London. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico and applied her formidable intelligence in a Cassandra role to warn us of the worsening fires and was part of the unheeded group of climate change advocates. Her CV is far too dense to cite responsibly. She did the hard work relentlessly. Her friends, colleagues and co-workers felt her devotion and she loved them deeply. She is survived by her loving sister Rachel of Portland, Oregon, her brother John and her niece Lorna Rae and nephew John of St. Louis, Missouri, and her childhood sweetheart Nathan Hey. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sister Lora, and her brother Paul David. In lieu of flowers please go out and encourage a woman or a young woman and help them to achieve