Sue McNulty Rainey in a photo from last December. Photo courtesy of Walnut Creek Downtown.
By Allen D. Payton
Born December 24, 1939, former Walnut Creek and Moraga Mayor Susan H. McNulty Rainey passed away on June 17, 2026, at the age of 86. According to the East Bay Times, she “died of mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer, surrounded by family in her Walnut Creek home.” Her late husband, former State Senator and Contra Costa County Sheriff Richard Rainey, died of melanoma brain tumors on July 4, 2021.
Sue Rainey also served in the elected positions of Town of Moraga Councilmember and Vice Mayor, Walnut Creek Councilmember, and Member and President of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District Board of Directors.
Her profile was published by Contra Costa Herstory:
“Growing up in an era when women’s opportunities in public service were severely limited, Susan’s early experiences as a nurse and military officer shaped her dedication to service and breaking barriers for future generations.
“Born in the 1930s, Susan McNulty Rainey came of age during an era when women faced significant barriers to professional and political advancement. Her path to leadership began with her commitment to service through nursing—one of the few professional fields readily available to women of her generation. Her pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington demonstrated both her academic excellence and her dedication to caring for others.
“The values instilled during her early years—service, compassion, and community responsibility—would become the foundation of her extraordinary career in public service. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, she witnessed firsthand the importance of strong community leadership and the power of collective action in times of crisis.
“Her early professional experiences as a registered nurse provided her with unique skills that would prove invaluable in her political career: the ability to remain calm under pressure, to listen carefully to people’s needs, to work collaboratively with diverse teams, and to make decisions that directly impacted people’s lives and well-being.
“The 1950s and 1960s were transformative decades in American society, with the civil rights movement, women’s rights activism, and suburban development reshaping communities across the nation. Susan’s formative years coincided with these massive social changes, positioning her to become one of the pioneering women who would break through traditional barriers in local government.
Susan’s service as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps from 1959 to 1961 was particularly significant in shaping her leadership style and commitment to service. During the post-Korean War era, military nurses played crucial roles in maintaining readiness and caring for service members. This experience provided her with discipline, organizational skills, and a deep understanding of public service that would serve her throughout her civilian career. Her military service also connected her to a broader network of women professionals who were pioneering new roles in American society.
“As Susan transitioned from her military and nursing career to raising a family in the rapidly growing suburbs of Contra Costa County, she brought with her a unique combination of professional competence, service orientation, and leadership experience that positioned her perfectly to address the challenges facing her community. Her background as both a healthcare professional and military officer gave her credibility and problem-solving skills that few of her contemporaries possessed.
“The suburban boom of the 1960s and 1970s created unprecedented challenges for local communities—rapid population growth, infrastructure needs, environmental concerns, and the need for new forms of governance. Susan’s early recognition of these challenges, combined with her professional background and service ethic, set the stage for her remarkable journey from concerned citizen to transformational leader.
“Susan’s evolution from community volunteer to pioneering elected official exemplifies how dedicated citizens can transform their communities through sustained engagement and visionary leadership.”
According to the Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area in Walnut Creek, when she received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, “Sue began volunteering with Cancer Support Community over 20 years ago, soon after the organization was founded in Walnut Creek. She sat on several committees, joined the Board of Directors, and finally served as Board Chair.”
In addition to her elected positions, Rainey’s long list of community service also included the following:
President, Contra Costa Council (now, East Bay Leadership Council)
Board of Regents, St. Mary’s College
President, Moraga Junior Women’s Club
President, Moraga Parent’s Club
Director, Moraga Community Association
President, First Tuesday Forum
Cub Scout Den Mother
Girl Scout Troop Leader
Vice President of Finance, Boy Scouts Mt. Diablo Silverado Council
Director and Board President, Contra Costa Special District Association
Founder and President, Contra Costa Sewer and Water Agency
Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Local Task Force
Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority
City/County Fiscal Unity Committee
Board Chair, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
Board Chair, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority – County Connection
No services for Rainey have yet been announced.
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