Deanna Mooney

1940 - 2025

Deanna Mooney
10/05/1940 - 10/02/2025
Deanna Gwen Crawford Mooney was born on October 5, 1940, in Woodward, Oklahoma, the eldest child of Gwen Souther and Ivan Crawford. At age three, she moved with her family to Enid, Oklahoma, where she completed her education at McKinley Elementary, Emerson Junior High, and Enid High School. She later attended the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing, forming lifelong bonds with her college roommates Glenda Stevens Morgan and Sue Chaney Weidner, her true soulmates.
Deanna's childhood and college years were split between Oklahoma and Durango, Colorado, where her family spent half the year at their cherished Lake Vallecito home from 1944 until 2008.
In 1961, Deanna moved to San Francisco, California, where she built a remarkable life filled with purpose, passion, and panache. She worked at San Francisco General Hospital from 1962 until her retirement in 2000, serving in multiple roles and leaving a lasting legacy. She led the first nurse "sick-out" in the U.S. in 1966, advocating for fair pay, and later negotiated lifetime healthcare for city nurses and their families. She also oversaw the hospital's relocation in the mid-1970s and was part of the nationwide task force that developed the first treatment protocols for AIDS patients in collaboration with the CDC, FDA, and NIH in the 1980s.
Beyond nursing, Deanna's flair for storytelling and style led her to work as a set decorator for Warner Brothers on iconic films like Bullitt and the Dirty Harry series.
In 1963, she toured Europe, and upon returning to San Francisco, she was introduced to her future husband, Sean Mooney, by longtime ABC Nightly News anchor Peter Jennings in 1964. Together, they supported his ventures in hospitality, including Monroe's Restaurant and Mooney's Irish Pub. Their attempted secret wedding on a Tuesday in 1971 became a citywide celebration thanks to hospital announcements, radio host Jim Dunbar, and columnist Herb Caen. Sean could never remember the actual date, so they made a habit of celebrating their wedding anniversary on random Tuesdays throughout the year.
Deanna embraced the role of stepmother to Sean's children-Sheelagh, Kevin, and Siobhan-and together they built a life rich in travel, laughter, and love. They visited Ireland often, explored Europe, and spent time in Athens with her mother. Their adventures also took them to Acapulco, New York City, Vancouver's inland waterways, and beyond. In San Francisco, they lived on Telegraph Hill and later in Noe Valley, always with a view of the city they adored.
Deanna was a dazzling presence, glamorous, generous, and unforgettable. She loved a party, always had a drink in hand, and never missed a chance to indulge in the finer things in life like oysters and caviar, along with more homegrown indulgences like pimento cheese and chili. She was the greatest hostess in the world, welcoming friends and family with warmth, elegance, and a fully stocked bar. Her storytelling was legendary, witty, vivid, and captivating; and even in her later years, when she entered a room, everyone knew it.
She and Sean shared a passion for horse racing, both locally and in Ireland. In 1972, they purchased The Willow Hotel in Jamestown, California, which Deanna owned until 2020. They also briefly owned Poker Flat Resort near Copperopolis in the early 1970s. Their happiest times were spent at their Sierra home, affectionately known to the family as "The Cabin," where "deck living" became a beloved summer tradition filled with barbecues, card games, dominoes, and laughter.
After retirement, Deanna embraced San Francisco's café society, earning her the moniker "Saloonista" from the Marina Times in 2013. She enjoyed long lunches, spirited games, and globe-trotting adventures. Her travels took her all over the world, to places as far-flung as Dubai, Australia, Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bali, as well as countless trips to Europe and Ireland. She spent holidays on Fripp Island in South Carolina, in Florida with college friends, and for ten years, rented a beach house on Perdido Key. She also kept a condo in Puerto Vallarta and never forgot to make plenty of room for guests wherever she was in the world.
Deanna was preceded in death by her beloved husband Sean, whom she lovingly cared for after his stroke in 1985 until his passing in 1990. She was also predeceased by her parents, Gwen in 2012 and Ivan in 1963; her brother Ron in 2000; her brother Bill in 2024; as well as many cherished cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
She is survived by her stepchildren Sheelagh Fromer (and husband Arthur), Kevin Mooney, and Siobhan Stevens; niece Casey Newman (and husband Richard); seven grandchildren including Ariel Babcock (and husband Stephen), Derrek Damato (and wife Haley), Michael Fromer, Sean Mooney (and wife Ashley), Aisling Cabrales (and husband Andre), Sonia Stephens, and Sophia Stevens; great-nieces Eva Deanna Ward, Clareen Ward, and Rosanna Newman; eight great-grandchildren including Cash Damato, Griffin Babcock, Sloane Babcock, Colin Cabrales, Declan Mooney, Finn Mooney, Connor Mooney, and Henry Mooney; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends around the world.
Today would have been her 85th birthday, so if you are able, please raise a glass to our wonderful Deanna who lived on her own terms and will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She will live on in the countless stories and memories that will be shared about her at parties and on bar stools for many generations to come. Some of her last words were, "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Rest in peace Deanna, your work here is done.
To share your condolences, get in touch with the family, or inquire about memorial services please contact Deanna-Memorial@googlegroups.com.