Zita B. McMahon, 75, wife of the late John Gary McMahon of Sandy Hook, died peacefully July 12, surrounded by family. She was born December 4, 1937, in Passaic, N.J., a daughter of Albina and Joseph Wyka.

Ms McMahon graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and worked as grants administrator and then as first selectman for the Town of Newtown, from 1991 to 1993. She spent the latter part of her career as human resource administrator for CES in Trumbull.

Former Newtown first selectman Herb Rosenthal recalled Ms McMahon from the years she spent as executive assistant to his father, Jack Rosenthal, the first selectman in Newtown from 1976 to 1988. “She served Newtown well as first selectman,” Mr Rosenthal said. He offered condolences to her family, adding, “I’m sorry to hear of her passing.”

Fred Hurley, Public Works Director for Newtown since 1989, remembered Ms McMahon as a woman who “could get the job done, and nobody knew it.” A forward thinking leader, who did not allow partisan politics to interfere with what was best for Newtown, Ms McMahon’s action in dealing with the state “resulted in millions of dollars of benefit to the town, not apparent to the public,” said Mr Hurley.

Ms McMahon spent 49 years of her life in Sandy Hook, and touched many lives along the way.

A dedicated mother and grandmother, she is survived by her children, Laurie, Suzanne, Amy, Melissa, John, and Tim; 13 beautiful grandchildren; and sister, Eufrozyna Wyka of Clifton, N.J.

Friends may call Tuesday, July 16, from 4 to 7 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, July 17, at 11 am, in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road. Interment will follow in Newtown Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ms McMahon’s name to The Newtown Scholarship Association, PO Box 302, Newtown CT 06470.

To leave online condolences visit www.honanfh.com.