Longtime ACT UP Los Angeles veteran Stephanie Boggs died April 12 at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. She was 61.

In March, Boggs was diagnosed with breast cancer, which had metastasized to the brain. Later that month, she underwent major surgery to have a large brain tumor removed. She was undergoing radiation therapy when she was moved to an assisted living facility April 9.

Boggs joined ACT UP LA in the late 1980s when she was working at Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood. In order to attend meetings and actions, she would often take time off from her waitressing job and sacrifice pay.
 
“Stephanie was one hell of an AIDS activist,” said ACT UP LA’s Peter Cashman in an e-mail. “A proud member of ACT UP Women, she was a great bridge builder and tireless worker on behalf of people with HIV/AIDS.”