Rosalie M. O'Mahony
October 14, 1930 - August 14, 2021

Rosalie M. O'Mahony passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Rosalie was born October 14, 1930 to Martin and Mai (Brosnan) O'Mahony, East Camp, Castleisland, Co. Kerry. She was the eldest child and sister to Monica, Nuala, Timmy and Ida (twins), James, Kitty and Cecelia. Rosalie spent her formative years in Knockawnbawn with her Granda and Grandma Brosnan. She attended Presentation Primary and Secondary School. She returned to Camp at Secondary School level. Rosalie was a keen mathematician and had a huge interest in history and travel. Her favorite place being the Black Forest in Germany.

Rosalie was first elected to the Burlingame City Council in 1989. She served as Mayor in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2008 and served as Vice Mayor for 5 years in between. Rosalie served on many Boards and Chaired many prestigious positions in Burlingame and the City of San Mateo (see below). Her commitment and dedication to the City of Burlingame and San Mateo County is unsurpassed. In 2011, Rosalie received the City of Burlingame's Community Recognition Award. The City named the bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Broadway in her name.

Rosalie was a Professor of Mathematics at the College of San Mateo where she began teaching in 1965. She holds a PhD from the University of Southern California.

In addition to her teaching career and service as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Burlingame, Rosalie served as Budget Chair and Representative for the Audit Committee for the City of Burlingame; Board of Directors and Chair for the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency; Represented the City on the Airport Roundtable and County Emergency Services Committee; Representative and Chair for the City and County Association of Governments;
Vice Chair of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority served on the Board of the San Mateo County Investment Advisory Committee; and served on the Board of the City of Burlingame's Drainage Committee.

Thank you to her amazing caretaker, Anna. Anna cared for Rosalie 24 hours a day for over 16 months. A special thanks to her lifelong friends, Anne and John Fallon, Phyllis and Pat Kinsella and Esther and Frank McDermott. Your friendship and kindness meant the world to Rosalie.

We will miss you dear Rosalie, "Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam"

In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation to St. Vincent DePaul Society or a charity of your choosing.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am Saturday, August 28, 2021 at St. Catherine's Church, 1310 Bayswater Ave., Burlingame.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Rosalie O'Mahony

Sponsored by CLOSED-Crosby-N. Gray & Co. Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

10 Entries

Carlos Delgado

October 8, 2022

Dr. O´Mahony did a wonderful job in preparing her students for the next step in their education and for me that work ethic and preparation carried over to my professional life. I took her class in 2015 and had the pleasure of enjoying a nice lunch with her at the end of the semester. Thank you and O´Mahony for everything you have done for me

Paul P.

October 4, 2022

Dr. O'Mahony was my professor for first and third semester calculus in 1978 and 1979. I majored in mathematics and went on to get a degree in computer science as a result of the foundation she gave me. In the late 1990s, I treated her to lunch at the Copenhagen Bakery and showed her some of the articles I published in projective invariants. She was a remarkable and highly intelligent lady who enhanced the lives of everyone she came in contact with. A good woman and one of the brightest I've happened to meet.

Gary Flores

July 16, 2022

I sadly learned of her passing from some people from Burlingame today.
Dr.O'Mahony was also my math professor at CSM back in 1979-1980 for Calculus and Differential Equations. Brilliant instructor that taught me so much and inspired me. I went to many office hours and she generously helped me to keep sharp. I did well in her classes. She wrote a fabulous letter of recommendation for me to get into UC Berkeley in Chemical Engineering. Dr O'Mahony was so encouraging and positive. I still have a copy of tha letter that is nearly 42 years old. I'd happily share it with her family. I reconnected with Dr O'Mahony in 2004, 23 years after having her and she still remembered me. When I went to visit her she actually still had copies of my grades in her class she pulled up. We connected for lunch once but then I lost track of continuing to keep in touch. She made a lasting impression and inspired my engineering career and love for math. I also am inspired watching her amazing public service to Burlingame.

Kevin H

September 10, 2021

Dr O'Mahony was my trigonometry professor at the College of San Mateo in 1995. She was kind but firm with her teaching. I had great respect for her as a person as she always made me feel singular as the only thing that mattered at the moment. She was generous with her time and never impatient. It wasn't lost on me that she was mayor while teaching which speaks volumes about her ability to be many things to many people. She was a gem and will be missed.

Ronald G Hoyle

August 27, 2021

Rosalie was a most important mentor in my life. I will forever be grateful for her love, understanding and the belief she showed in me at a time in my life when I was really searching. I feel privileged to have called Rosalie a friend. God Speed Rosalie.

Zoe Mahony

August 26, 2021

Vale Aunty Rosalie

Sister of my father, James G. Mahony (1940-2015 - Sydney Australia) originally from Camp East Castleisland Co. Kerry Ireland

Rosalie and her achievements inspired our family from far away. She was our gold standard, at 91 years was a Professor of Mathematics, 5 time Lord Mayor and 20-year Councilwoman of Burlingame CA. To her legacy, a foot and cycle bridge is dedicated to her civic contribution.

Aunty Rosalie was always a gracious host when I had the pleasure to visit California.

I have memories of her zooming around in a sleek white sportscar with her great head of hair. She was the first person to introduce me to the exotic dining experience of the baked artichoke, in her perfectly Rosalie home in Burlingame. It was leaves and all and I had no idea how to eat it. Always generous I recall one time she gave me tickets for a balloon flight over a corner of her beautiful state.

Dear Rosalie will be remembered well.