Ellen F. Steinberg, age 75, passed away unexpectedly on May 19, 2023. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena, IL is assisting the family. Ellen was born on March 16, 1948, to Jayne M. and James A. FitzSimmons in Chicago, IL. She was an impressive woman. After graduating from Beloit College with an Anthropology degree she went on to earn her masters in Anthropology and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She was an archeological researcher and writer, published countless articles and 4 multi-disciplinary books, appeared with her research on the Discovery Channel, and taught as a visiting professor. She was also a past president of Yonah Hadassah and vice-president and Chicago-area chair of the Society of Women Geographers. As an avid student of life, she shared her world travels with those she loved. Her garden was also a primary passion. As a master gardener and owner of a certified wildlife habitat, she was known to collect moss when away to bring home and place between the bricks and slate on her driveway and yard. She loved her garden almost as much as she loved her children. She raised her children passionately sharing her knowledge and love of learning with them. She established a foreign language program at the children’s elementary school, used her self-taught hand-sewing skills to help Sara’s Brownies troop learn to sew quilts for their cabbage patch dolls, and learned carpentry to help Justin build, paint and race his Boy Scout Pinewood Derby race car. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Jack Prost, and her many loved family members: her children, Sara (Stephen) Collins and Justin Steinberg along with her grandchildren, Owen and Graham Collins, Michael, Sloane and Bridget Steinberg. She is also survived by her siblings, Katherine (Gordon) Jones, Michael (Angela) FitzSimmons, and Margaret Morettini, and her many nieces and nephews. Ellen had a wonderful relationship with her stepchildren, Kimberly Callaway, Jay, Jason and Justin Prost along with their 10 children.  In remembrance of Ellen’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Young Chicago Authors, 1180 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642. https://youngchicagoauthors.org/about.