STERLING, MI — Born and raised in the small Michigan village of Sterling, Anastasia “Anna” DeShais had a singular goal from a young age: travel the world, spread her faith, and help the deaf. To that end, she spent the last 10 years teaching and living in the Asian nation of Myanmar.

DeShais’ selflessness was put to the ultimate test in late September, when she reentered a surging river to help others escape the torrent. The deluge carried DeShais over a massive waterfall, killing her and three others.

Giving her life trying to save others’ would have been a natural impulse for DeShais, according to her mother, Nancy Ostroski-DeShais.

“She wouldn’t have been able to live with herself,” her mother said. “That’s just the way she was. She never took time for herself. She was always just do

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