San Joaquin County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Zanussi, Dorothy Mae July 12 2004
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Cheryl Davis-Holman Cis1052@aol.com July 13, 2004, 2:50 pm

The Record  July 13, 2004
Tracy's first female mayor dies at age 95

By Jennifer Torres
Record Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, July 13, 2004 

 TRACY -- In more than 25 years of civic involvement, Dorothy Mae Zanussi 
helped shepherd the city through its first years of rapid growth, and, as its 
first female mayor, was a political pioneer, friends and family members said. 

Zanussi, a 40-year resident, died Monday at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital. 
She was 95. 

"She just really enjoyed getting in there and helping the city," Zanussi's son, 
Robert L. Zanussi, of Martinez said. "She really wanted to make Tracy a better 
place." 

Dorothy Zanussi first became active in city government when she was appointed 
to the Martinez Planning Commission. Though her bid for a City Council seat 
there failed, Zanussi retained her post as planning commissioner until 1963 
when she moved with her family to Tracy. 

In 1974, after her involvement in a number of community groups including the 
Tracy Community Hospital Auxiliary, the Tracy Garden Club and the Business and 
Professional Women's Club, Zanussi was appointed to the Planning Commission. 

Seven years later, she was appointed to the City Council, where she helped 
bring residents the West Valley Mall and the senior citizen's lunch program. 

"She was active in all sorts of political arenas," Robert Zanussi said. 

But the accomplishment she was most proud of was becoming the city's first 
female mayor in 1982. ::: Advertisement ::: 
 

"She made me promise to put that on her gravestone," her son 
recalled. "'Tracy's first lady mayor.' And I'm going to." 

Zanussi remained on the Council until 1990, serving a second term as mayor in 
1985. 

During her years in City Hall, Zanussi inspired other women to become active in 
local politics. 

Assemblywoman Barbara Matthews, D-Tracy, said Zanussi encouraged her to seek a 
spot on Tracy's planning commission. 

"She always liked to tell people she got me started in Tracy," said Matthews, a 
former councilwoman. "She wanted to see other women participate in Tracy. I 
appreciated that. ... I think she kind of led the way for women to participate 
in politics here." 

When not involved in government, Zanussi was a lucky gambler, her son said. 

The family made frequent trips to Las Vegas where Zanussi developed a taste for 
slot machines and Frank Sinatra. One of her favorite songs, "Stardust," will be 
played during funeral services. 

Zanussi also was an avid bingo player. 

"She won every week," Robert Zanussi said. 

Zanussi is survived by two children, Zanussi, and Talma J. Kaiser of Omaha, 
five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

A 7 p.m. rosary is scheduled for Thursday at Fry Memorial Chapel. 

Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic 
Church. 


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