Deborah Cooke, of San Francisco, passed away May 2, 2022 after a mercifully short bout with cancer, aged 67. 

Debbie was born January 30, 1955 in Queens, New York, to Roslyn and Irving Newman.

After graduating from Queens College, Debbie started a long career in advertising - first at Burson-Marsteller in NYC, then moved to San Francisco with McDaniels, Henry & Sproul. Debbie eventually struck out on her own in the late ‘80s, putting out her shingle as DC Productions. She debuted one of the first AVIDs in the Bay and produced countless spots, stories and shows for the next 35 years.

Debbie and ace key grip Kevin Cooke married, and lived in San Francisco’s Richmond district for decades - before moving up to Bodega Bay after Kevin’s MS diagnosis. In Kevin’s last years, they returned to the City, and afterwards she lived in the Presidio with her younger brother Seth, until his passing.

Deb was active in the advertising and post community, mentoring, networking and supporting other women-owned businesses with Broads in Broadcasting. She kept close ties over the years with a broad swath of talent, from directors, producers and writers to sound people, editors and graphic designers. 

Beyond film, Debbie loved art, and filled her home with originals from Northern California and New York artists. When Kevin could still travel, they took long-distance train trips through Europe and Scandinavia, across the US and Canada. Deb adored animals, from her beloved dog Mookie to numerous Maine coon cats. Kevin, Debbie and Seth sat up-close-and-personal in 10-yard-line seats at Niners’ games during the glory years at the ‘Stick. And she followed her hometown Mets and adopted SF Giants closely. 

Deb weathered the passing of Kevin, her mom Ros and Seth in recent years, but still kept her trademark Queens humor and edge. We hope she’s able to find lasting peace. Sending love from us all - we miss you, Cookie.