It is with enormous sadness that we report the death of Aimee Steen, deputy editor of Money Management, who passed away last Thursday following a year-long battle with cancer. She was 26.
Aimee joined Money Management as editorial assistant in 2010, having followed her maths degree with a postgraduate qualification in journalism. Her first day in the office was actually her 22nd birthday but, with typical modesty, she didn’t tell anybody the significance of the date. It was only the next day when then editor Janet Walford asked when her birthday was so she could add it to the team calendar that anyone realised it had been missed.
Aimee was a natural journalist. Her work was consistently marked out by her tenacity, conviction and curiosity. She was never afraid to ask a question if there was anything she didn’t understand (a rare quality) and she had an enviable ability to grasp complex subjects incredibly quickly.
Aimee was one of the best journalists I have ever worked with. I won’t name the others on that list; they have big enough heads already. But Aimee coupled her ability with a rare humility which ensured she never settled into complacency.
She quickly rose through the ranks, gaining every promotion available and becoming deputy editor in 2013 while still only 24. I had to make her go through an interview for each post, all the while trying to maintain the pretence that there was a chance she wouldn’t get them. As if there was going to be anyone better for the job.
Away from work she was a keen baker, who was as happy to share her creations as her colleagues were to receive them.
Her love of live music took in all tastes, from the more extreme and obscure alternative outfits that none of us had heard of, to downright cheese like Abba tributes or the Spice Girls musical. Aimee loved them all equally and unapologetically.
Aimee also loved to travel; she read constantly. In short, Aimee loved the sort of things many young women do, but she approached all of them with the passion and enthusiasm that characterised everything she did.
Despite her illness, Aimee was able to marry her long-term partner, Joe Painter, a nursery school teacher, in July. The resulting party was, by all accounts, a small but raucous affair. Joe spoke of his joy that they were able to accomplish the wedding they both wanted - like so much else they enjoyed during Aimee’s last year - “without compromise”.
Aimee had not been in the office since December but I still hadn’t got used to her not being there. Her death leaves an enormous hole in the Money Management team and in the hearts of all who knew her.
She was, and is, irreplaceable.
Macmillan provides support to cancer patients in all areas of their lives. You can make a donation in Aimee’s memory here.
