Patricia A. Steffan of Bridgehampton and New York City died on May 25. She was 84.
A long-time resident of New York City and Bridgehampton, she was born on January 22, 1939, in Philadelphia to Patricia and Thomas “Worth” Andrews. Raised in Kingston, New Jersey, with her sister Gail, she attended Miss Fine’s School before graduating from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
After receiving her degree with honors in English literature and election to Phi Beta Kappa, she moved to New York City, where she would live for 60 of the next 63 years. Her first position was at the Frick Collection, but she soon moved into publishing. First at Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich and later as a freelancer, she worked as a researcher and writer, collaborating with professors to take technical information and render it accessible to students. In her self-described “second career,” she worked as an administrator at the all-boys Allen-Stevenson School and, with great fondness and patience, helped corral the students in their journey from children to young men.
In retirement, she pursued photography, gardening, and travel. An avid gardener, she enthusiastically cultivated her own garden, studied garden design and history, and frequently visited famous gardens. To support the preservation of historically significant private gardens, she volunteered for many years with The Garden Conservancy and served on its board. She traveled to over 25 countries on six continents (there are no gardens in Antarctica) and often marveled at what she had seen and experienced. She combined her interests to create a series of landscape and horticultural photos which graced her home.
A great believer in the education and advancement of women, she was proud to support scholarships at Smith College and served as a member of the Board of Governors at the Colony Club of New York.
She is survived by Andrew Steffan, her husband of 58 years; sister Gail Crimmins of Newport, Rhode Island; son Alexander and daughter-in-law Nadine of Quincy, Massachusetts; her two grandchildren, Emma and Matthew; as well as countless friends.
A funeral will be held at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Bridgehampton on June 10 at 11 a.m.
Gifts to the church (stannsbridgehampton.org) may be made in lieu of flowers.
Staff Writer on Jun 2, 2023