Learn, earn, return: Deihleen’s guiding principle

Deihleen Claffey, a resident of San Francisco Towers for the past six years, embodies a commitment to community and a philanthropic spirit. Through her childhood on the San Francisco Peninsula and career in technology, Deihleen has cultivated a deep-seated desire to give back to the communities that have nurtured her.

“I was raised with the guiding principle of learn, earn, return,” Deihleen shares, a philosophy that has been the cornerstone of the life she has built. During her “earn” phase, she had a distinguished career at Hewlett Packard, where she began as a developer and ascended to the role of Vice President of Human Resources before retiring at the age of 50.

This milestone marked the beginning of her dedicated “return” phase. Initially, this took the form of direct service and engagement. “It was important to give back to the community that had given me so much,” she explains. Deihleen generously volunteered her time and energy, serving on the San Mateo Grand Jury and on the board of her local Soroptimists chapter.

A particularly impactful part of her volunteer journey was her years at the Catherine Center in San Mateo. Operated by St. Vincent de Paul, the Catherine Center is a residential program dedicated to supporting women recently released from prison. It provides a safe home and a holistic approach to re-entry, offering practical support, emotional and spiritual counseling, and resources to help women rebuild their lives, understand the root causes of their incarceration and prepare for employment. “I worked with women who had gotten out of prison and prepared them for getting a job and all that entails,” Deihleen recalls. “It meant helping them really get to know themselves.”

After years of dedicated volunteering, Deihleen transitioned to a new phase, focusing on enjoying life, which included joining the Metropolitan Club and, eventually, making San Francisco Towers her home.

“Moving into the Towers was my way of creating community for myself, seeing as I don’t have much close family,” she notes. “There are phenomenal people from all backgrounds at the Towers; you can create as much joy as you can handle here.”

Now, her “return” is primarily asset-based, though her passion for community remains the driving force. “I give to a number of causes, but again, it’s important to give to my community,” she emphasizes. This commitment is clearly demonstrated through her generous support of San Francisco Towers and, notably, the Circle of Friends resident assistance fund that supports those who may have outlived their resources.

Reflecting on a Circle of Friends event, Deihleen felt a strong call to action. “I felt that, as a community, we could give more. There are so many people here living into their 90s and 100s that weren’t expecting to live this long and a few may be facing financial challenges,” she observes. “I would hope if I found myself there, I would be able to continue to live proudly in my community.”

Deihleen Claffey’s journey to a philanthropic leader within San Francisco Towers is a testament to her enduring “learn, earn, return” philosophy. Her generosity, rooted in a deep appreciation for community and a desire to support her neighbors, creates a lasting impact, ensuring that San Francisco Towers remains a place where residents not only thrive, but also care for one another with compassion and dignity.

Originally published in the Summer 2025 edition of Community Matters