Ann Lyman Steffens

Ann Lyman Steffens of Clearwater, Florida, passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the age of 92. Ann was born on April 13, 1928 to Arthur and Margaret Lyman in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She met her husband, Henry “Hank” Calvin Steffens in the summer of 1949 while attending a Summer Art Program in Leland, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1950 and married Hank on March 17, 1951 on St. Patrick’s Day.

Ann and Hank moved from Michigan to Clearwater, Florida in the 1960’s with their growing family. The Steffens Family was known as the “mini United Nations”. They had 3 biological children and adopted 10 children (from Korea, The Philippines and domestic adoption). Through luck and divine intervention, they found the perfect “Frank Lloyd Wright” inspired 6 bedroom home for their large family in 1971 on Burnice Drive in Clearwater where many family memories were made including Senator George McGovern having dinner with the Steffens family in 1972 during his presidential bid. After raising her family, Ann went back to college and received a Masters Degree in Theology from St. Leo’s College, then went on to the Stetson University College of Law and passed the Florida bar at age 60! She continued to practice law well into her 80s. Ann practiced family law and it was her mission to seek justice for those who needed and often could not afford legal help. It would not be uncommon to see her house filled with homemade soups, cakes, etc in lieu of payment for legal services. She was a gifted painter who shared her love of painting in public schools, nursing homes, and the Pinellas County Jail. Ann loved to travel and visited France, Germany, England, Africa, China, Israel, Italy and spent many summers in her beloved Ireland. She was a voracious reader and one of her favorite activities was her monthly book club, comprised of strong women and lifelong friends, which she participated in until the age of 88. Ann was an activist and a strong voice for equality and social responsibility. It was common for her family to receive Christmas gifts where instead of presents a donation of chickens or a goat was given to 3rd world family or a donation to her favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders. She became a vegetarian in her 70s to show awareness of animal cruelty. Ann was a devout catholic who attended daily mass for years and attending mass, at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy, celebrated by Pope John Paul II was a surprise and experience of a lifetime.

Ann was predeceased by her beloved husband, Hank Steffens in 1988 who remained the love of her life; her daughter, Suki, her son, Patrick and her cherished poodle, O’Brien. She is survived by her daughter, Holly Steffens of Tampa, FL; William “Biff” and Sissy Steffens of Ostbevern, Germany; Jamie and Yvonne Steffens of Oldsmar, FL; Kwan and Tim Graff of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; JoAnn “JoJo” and Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT; James “JD” and Nancy Steffens of Spring Hill, FL; Jenny Steffens of Clearwater, FL; Lourdes and Sam Frontera of Clearwater, FL; Lydia Battung of Orlando, FL, Tim and Nichole Steffens of Tampa, FL and John Steffens of Ft Myers, Florida. Ann was a loving grandmother to Sean Hall, Elizabeth Cyr, Jean-Paul Cyr Jr. “JP”, Tiffany Metcalf, Soleil Frontera, Jeffrey Steffens, India Steffens, Brittnie Gibson, Constance “Connie” Steffens, Karie Steffens, Stephanie Steffens, Tanya “Ollie” Van Den Heuvel, Justin Van Den Heuvel, Laquita Miller, Greg Countryman, Melina Countryman, and Josh Bates; and great- granddaughter, Amira Metcalf. Also, special friends Ed and Margo Mandichak, Lorna Battung (and family) and Nancy Mag; and international exchange students, Richard Appelbom and Samuel Kim. A catholic mass in Ann’s honor will be celebrated on Saturday, April 10th, 2021 at 11am at St Michael’s Catholic Church in, Clearwater, Florida. Gifts can be made to Doctors Without Borders in Ann’s memory.