Anne Giannini McWilliams

1930 - 2024

Anne Giannini McWilliams
February 12, 2024
Anne Mercedes Giannini McWilliams passed away peacefully on February 12, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in 1930 to parents Lawrence Mario Giannini and Mercedes Anne Collins Giannini and was the granddaughter of Bank of America founder A.P. Giannini. In 1968, Anne married the love of her life, James K. McWilliams, and immediately proceeded to embrace his children, Keith, Kevin and Robin as her own. Anne is survived by Keith McWilliams (Sheila), Kevin McWilliams (Brett), Robin McWilliams Mathews (Daniel); her sister, Virginia Giannini Hammerness; nephews, Lawrence Hammerness (Sally) and Philippe Hammerness (Kelly); grandchildren, Sean, Justin, Ryan and Caitlyn McWilliams, Jeffrey and Brian Mathews, and Adam McWilliams; and grandnephews, Ty, Bill, and Luke.
Anne possessed a zest for life, a dynamic spirit, and a gracious engaging manner with all she encountered. Those with whom she collaborated respected and relished working with her. She actively participated in leadership roles in the San Francisco civic and arts community, including the boards of The A.P. Giannini Foundation (for postdoctoral medical research fellowships), The San Francisco Opera, The Fine Arts Museums, Merola Opera Program, Laguna Honda Hospital, Fall Antiques Show, Museo ItaloAmericano, Landscape Garden Show, and the Junior League, all of San Francisco.
During her time at Stanford University, where she majored in French, Anne also excelled as a competitive equestrian: in 1950, she was Pacific Coast Champion with her horse Phyllis Moonshine in the five-gaited American Saddlebreds competition. She continued her love of riding horses, later living in the Napa Valley, where she also thrived in her love of gardening and tending her impressive rose garden. She enjoyed playing bridge and dominoes with husband Jim and their friends, and was an avid San Francisco Giants fan, scoring the many games she'd attend, imbuing in Keith her love of the game.
Anne and Jim shared a passion for travel and explored widely internationally. In the late 1960's and early 70's, they embarked on their true tour de force together – working to establish the Villa Mt. Eden Winery in the Napa Valley and proceeding to win many gold medals at marquee wine competitions of the time. Their Cabernet grapes eventually garnered several 100's from Robert Parker after they returned to being growers in the Valley for the PlumpJack Winery. She resided at the vineyard in her final years and continued her ongoing passion for tending her roses.
A private family funeral took place in St. Helena, Calif., and a Celebration of Life will be held in San Francisco in March. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to the A.P. Giannini Foundation Fellowship Fund, P.O. Box 6106, San Rafael, Calif. 94903, or directly to The San Francisco Opera.