Daily Journal file photo Burlingame Councilwoman Rosalie O’Mahony looks upon five red roses given to her when she became mayor for the fifth time in 2007. She lost her seat on the City Council Tuesday.

Rosalie O’Mahony gleefully looked down upon five red roses, her signature flower, nearly two years ago after being sworn in for her fifth time as mayor of Burlingame.

A sixth turn, however, is not in the cards.

O’Mahony’s 20-year tenure on the City Council ended Tuesday by a 77-vote margin. Planning Commissioner Michael Brownrigg, the lone challenger, had the most votes in the four-person race and will join incumbents Ann Keighran and Cathy Baylock on the council. O’Mahony came in fourth.

“In a way, something like this is proof of the mortality of life,” she said Wednesday. “When one enters a race, one knows one might lose. But one remains eternally optimistic. One of us had to lose.”

The loss does not taint her years of service. O’Mahony, 78, spoke highly of the opportunity to serve Burlingame.

“It has been a great experience. I don’t know of any other way of expressing it. It’s been a privilege and a distinct honor to have served the people of Burlingame for 20 years. I have done so with great love in my heart. It’s been a labor of love for me. It’s been a sacred honor to serve the people of Burlingame.”

O’Mahony joined the City Council in 1989. She came to Burlingame in 1965, the year she started teaching math at the College of San Mateo. Since her first election, O’Mahony served as mayor five times — in 1994, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2008. The last five-time mayor, Dave Martin, was one of the individuals who drew O’Mahony to serve originally.

City Manager Jim Nantell gave O’Mahony five red roses — her signature flower — to mark her fifth time at the helm in 2007. In addition, each councilmember was given four white roses and a red rose symbolizing O’Mahony’s new place on the council.

Memories like this one will remain present in O’Mahony’s mind as she moves on to life after the City Council.

Some results from last night were pleasing to the outgoing councilwoman. The increased hotel tax, for example, will be a benefit. She hoped a portion of the revenue would fund the city’s portion of the costs for building the Peninsula overpass, something Mayor Ann Keighran continually noted as one benefit of the measure passing.

O’Mahony was sorry to leave prior to the completion of the overpass but expressed confidence that Keighran and Councilman Jerry Deal will continue to move the project along, but plans to be on their case just to be sure.

She noted the last increase to the hotel occupancy tax generated funds for the library to be remodeled, which opened in 2000, and helped complete a sports complex. Both are projects O’Mahony still looks upon fondly.

Earlier this year, Burlingame property owners passed a fee that will fund sewer infrastructure needs. O’Mahony was delighted to have seen the measure pass. Working toward that success was a priority during her last mayoral term.

Seeing plans for a Safeway be close to a resolution is a relief to O’Mahony.

On a more entertaining note, the situation which most sticks out during O’Mahony’s tenure has little to do with buildings, budgets, downtowns or transportation. Instead a rooster remains clear.

While mayor in the ’90s, a man who lived in a condominium at El Camino Real and Howard Avenue was troubled over a neighbor who was keeping chickens and a rooster. This rooster loved the morning hours and constantly shared his morning glee around 5 a.m., much to the chagrin of this neighbor who felt the wake-up call was too early.

“It was so funny,” O’Mahony said. “I will always remember it.”

City rules did end up restricting the number of chickens that could be housed. But O’Mahony later heard a fox took out the rest of the coop.

The woman who served the city for the longest period of time is not quite sure what her future role with the city will be. For now, she plans to clean her home and take a deep breath. Then, she’ll consider how she can most effectively serve in a different capacity.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve,” she said. “I have loved every moment of it. I’m grateful to those who voted me in five times.”

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.