In Memory

D'Anne Mount

D'Anne Mount

After an incredibly full life, world traveler, public servant, life-long dedicated Democrat and kind and generous friend to so many, D'Anne Mount died December 5, 2016, of illness brought on by renal failure.

Born January 25, 1948 in Altus, Oklahoma, D'Anne grew up in Norman, graduated from Norman High School in 1966 and from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in political science. This was a passion that took her to Washington, D.C, where she worked for several years for a Congressman from her home state. But travel always drew her. After touring Europe in a classic beat-up VW van, she headed east by train and bus through India, then hitchhiked across Afghanistan to Katmandu, Nepal, adding a hike to Mt. Everest base camp before returning to the United States.

Back in D.C., she worked for FEMA, the emergency management agency, which sent her west following the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. She fell immediately in love with the area. "When she was called back to D.C., she said no way and moved here for good," said her brother, Bill Mount.

Arriving in Seattle, D'Anne joined Allied Arts and worked on Charles Royer's second mayoral campaign and other political campaigns, meeting and making dozens of friends she kept in touch with throughout her life. After several jobs, including one as a lobbyist for the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, in 1981 she began her long career with the city in communications and media relations with the Department of Community Development and in the late 80s with the newly established Solid Waste Utility. Her last decade of city service was spent at the Department of Information Technology, where she was part of the city's public information disaster response team until her retirement three years ago.

Outside of work, she was a great supporter of the arts and a regular subscriber to ACT, Seattle Arts and Lectures, and Seattle Men's Chorus, among others. In recent years she tutored adults in English at the downtown library.

Throughout the years, D'Anne continued to expand her extraordinary group of friends, often drafting them to join her on the many world-spanning trips she continued to take when money and vacation time permitted. She traveled several times to India, Myanmar, Bali, Vietnam and China, among other places, including a trip to a world-renowned music festival in Timbuktu. There were local places too. She owned a house in Seaside, Oregon where her father lived during his later years. After a while she had two condos in Palm Springs, amazing the many friends she shared them with and providing her with a getaway from Seattle to warm weather which she loved.

Friends truly were D'Anne's life and all were richer for knowing her. She traveled regularly back to Oklahoma to see high school and college friends. At work, it seemed she knew and had a connection with nearly every employee in the Seattle Municipal Tower.

D'Anne is survived by her brother Bill Mount of North Lauderdale, Florida. A celebration of her life for all her friends will be announced later. Meanwhile, remembrances can be made in her name to Planned Parenthood.



 
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12/06/16 08:58 AM #1    

Carol Hickman (Haynes)

My heart is heavy with the loss of D'Anne. I will always remember her for being a beautiful friendly girl with a smile that lit up the room. I got to know D'Anne better after we graduated from NHS at our reunions. I had so hoped to see her at our 50th Reunion, but it was not to be.  Mick also got to know her as a kind and loving daughter as she brought her mom into the pharmacy. So many people will miss D'Anne as we do. May she rest in peace.


12/06/16 05:08 PM #2    

Roger Haferkamp

D'Anne and her family were always so nice to me. Feisty and fun. I consider myself lucky to have known her.


12/10/16 10:58 AM #3    

Barbara Orth (Boggs)

D'Anne was more than a friend, she was part of my heart. Her family was my family. I'm devastated by her loss, but ever blessed by having her in my life. She was a brilliant, talented, loving woman. 


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