M. Anne Jennings' Obituary
M. Anne Jennings died on August 21, 2024 in Berkeley, CA, her home since her birth in 1942. Born with an innate desire for adventure and knowledge, Anne was anchored in the beauty of and care for the natural and human world, informed by a brilliant mind and an ever-expanding wisdom and generosity in her pursuit of justice, and enhanced by family, friends, and a life-long love of world travel, photography, music and opera.
Anne attended Radcliffe College, Class of 1964, and received both a B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley. Anne taught at Capuchino High School in San Bruno from 1966 to 1974, then attended CAL’s Boalt Law School, received her J.D. in 1977, and commenced her esteemed legal career clerking first for Rose Bird, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court before joining the California Attorney General’s Office where she worked for more than 20 years. Anne’s led some of the Office’s most important cases in water rights, CEQA, and civil rights, litigating on behalf of over 15 state agencies in the natural resources and environmental protection fields. Anne also worked directly with the Attorney General on special projects, including advocating expedited review of potential drugs to treat AIDs. Anne was a teacher and mentor with a keen mind and exceptional writing skills, always available for advice, venting, and strategizing. Her influence lives on in all those whose paths crossed with hers.
Always active politically, Anne volunteered in many ways during the 1980’s, particularly advocating for the advancement of human rights for lesbians and gay men and other marginalized people. She was a member of both the ACLU’s National and Northern California Boards of Directors for a number of years. She volunteered with other state employees at Destiny Arts Center tutoring young children. Anne was a member of the Berkeley Zen Center, where she received lay ordination in 1997, given the dharma name “Shoto Tetsuyo – Bright Lamp, Wise Friend,” and was its president from 2004 to 2007. In retirement Anne volunteered for several years as a math tutor at her neighborhood Ruth Acty (formerly Jefferson) Elementary and Martin Luther King Jr. Middle schools. In 2010, Anne was a founding Board member of Our Children’s Trust, dedicated to giving youth a legal voice to protect their right to a stable climate.
From an early age, Anne loved to backpack and rock climb, hiking the John Muir Trail for several years with her family, climbing Yosemite and exploring the high Sierras as an adult. Anne rafted many rivers on the West Coast, and traveled the world, experiencing many Asian and European countries. She was an avid vegetable and flower gardener, orchid lover, SF Opera subscriber, a faithful SF Giants fan since their arrival in 1958, and a fabulous cook.
Anne is predeceased by her parents, Richard W. and Betsy Jennings and her sister Susan Stangeland. She is survived by her long-time partner and wife, Sharon Duggan; her brother Tom Jennings (Betsy) and children Shaina and Rebecca (Mike Hamilton), and grandchildren Finn and Zoe; her brother-in-law Bruce Stangeland and children Kirsten Cozzitorti (Craig) and Eric (Erin)
and grandchildren Russell and Piper; Sharon’s family including brothers Jack (Denise) and Joe, sister Mary Dumont (Rick), sister-in-law Vikki Duggan, cousin Robert Heltberg, and nieces and nephews Mike Duggan, Meghan Dyer (Phil) and son Sam, Aran Dyer, Padraic Duggan, Keara Mascareñaz (Landon), Bridget Duggan, Ryan Spangler, Alicia Spangler, Amanda Morris and Mariah Morris.
Thank you to caregivers Claudia and the Ashley Caring Heart team, Kaiser Doctors Mala Reddy and Laura Cantino and Patricia Mariano RN, the Kaiser Hospice team, and Anne’s dear family and friends for vigilant care and comfort as Anne’s journey unfolded. Donations in Anne’s honor can be made to Hope Springs From Field, Center for Reproductive Rights, Our Children’s Trust, or a charity of your choosing. Anne wanted to live long enough to vote in the upcoming election, doing whatever she could, so please honor Anne by doing the same. A memorial and celebration of Anne’s life will be on Friday October 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland CA, with reception to follow.
What’s your fondest memory of M. Anne?
What’s a lesson you learned from M. Anne?
Share a story where M. Anne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with M. Anne you’ll never forget.
How did M. Anne make you smile?