For The Love Of Pequannock

“I’VE LIVED IN town my entire life,” says Colleen McMahon, who was born into the Murphy family at the original Chilton Hospital. If you’ve ever searched for local Realtors, browsed the Pequannock Township Facebook page, or spotted a cheerful group planting American flags along Newark Pompton Turnpike, then McMahon is a familiar face. We sat down with the Realtor soon after she was named the 2025 Pequannock Township Citizen of the Year.

A LOVE FOR COMMUNITY

Colleen McMahon recalls great memories living throughout the township. “My family moved a few times growing up, but we always stayed in Pequannock Township; it’s home,” she says. McMahon attended school in town and is a Pequannock Township High School alumnus. After graduation, she pursued a career as a beautician working in local salons, mostly in town.

McMahon married her soulmate Jerry, also from town and a PTHS alumnus. The pair started a family and had their first two children, Lauren and Casey, before McMahon changed her career path.

“After about 12 years in the beauty industry, I was ready for a change and a career that worked better for my life as a mom of young children” says McMahon. At the time, PTHS hosted adult school night courses. McMahon took real estate courses and obtained her license.

“I started working with broker Patricia Wojtyszyn at Century 21 Crestmere (now Century 21 Crest Real Estate at 142 Rt. 23 North in Pompton Plains),” she says. As many stay in this town, McMahon now works with Wojtyszyn’s daughter, Tish.

The McMahons added their third daughter, Alyson, to complete the family soon after. Now, McMahon has been working for Century 21 Crest for 31 years. Among some of her many awards are Top Producer since 1999, New Jersey Realtor Circle of Excellence Award for 1995 to 2024, the Century 21 Centurion Award for 2016 to 2022, and the Century 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer in 2024.

A PASSION FOR WORK

McMahon describes her love of being a Realtor: “I enjoy the diversity of day-to-day work as a Realtor, every day is different, new people, new homes and challenges.” She especially loves working with families over generations. “I’ve sold a couple their first home and now, today, I’m selling a home to their grown children,” she says. “It’s wonderful working with the public and in the township I love so much.”

Many may recognize McMahon as the administrator to the Pequannock Township Facebook page, a great way for townspeople to connect. Started for fun in 2009, it ended up being a resource during natural disasters like floods, (multiple in those early years) and lengthy power outages from hurricanes. Also a place for recommendations, McMahon always emphasizes the importance of supporting local town businesses. Her coadministrator, Adam Parker, has helped approve posts for the last five years. The Pequannock Township, New Jersey Facebook group has over 14,000 members to date.

McMahon’s family has a long history in town. Her father was a police officer for Pequannock, her mother was on the First Aid Squad, and her husband Jerry was a dispatcher for Pequannock Police (now retired) and member of the fire department and First Aid Squad.

HONORING VETERANS

Honoring our veterans is very important to McMahon. More than 20 years ago, she came up with the idea to line the Turnpike and Jackson Avenue with small American flags for Memorial Day weekend. Her broker was on board, and Colleen has been able to continue the tradition with agents from her office, placing 1500 flags up and down the busy street of the parade route. It’s a beautiful tradition, noticed by all who pass.

Jumping forward to today, McMahon’s passion for honoring our veterans came through during the PTHS Alumni Veterans Wall Project. A labor of love, she has been a key member of the committee for years.

“My husband’s cousin, Steve Mulligan, was part of the Butler Mission Honor and wanted to bring this to Pequannock. I put him in touch with Principal Rich Hayzler, and together they started gathering information to get the project going,” she says. “The committee was formed, and it was important for us to make this a nonprofit organization. We reached out to other alumni who own businesses in town to help with the construction and sponsorship,” she says.

After realizing more help was needed to gather names for the wall, McMahon was asked to help. “I was able to find more than half the alumni Veterans through the power of social media, family, and friends. I personally have five family members on the Alumni Veterans Wall,” says McMahon. “I was so impressed with the hard work of volunteers. It’s really beautiful.”

Also close to her heart is the Relay for Life. “In 2006, the American Cancer Society brought the Relay for Life to town. My dear friend, Ken James, was asked to be the chairperson of the committee and asked me to join him since he was going through treatment himself for pancreatic cancer. This was an amazing event: My office handled the registration and offered welcome boxes with snacks to everyone attending. I was told this was one of the largest amounts of money raised,” says McMahon.

Sadly, James passed in 2007. Another Relay for Life was held in 2008 named “ELK,” which stands for Everybody Loves Ken. “It was another awesome event,” she says.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

McMahon was named the 2025 Citizen of the Year for Pequannock in the Memorial Day Parade. “It was overwhelming,” she says. She was called by Jim Van Dyke, Commander of the American Legion Post #242, as well as Pequannock Township Council members Vincent Siracusa and Melissa Florance-Lynch.

“It’s a great honor and was extra special to be driven by Bill Braga (Sons of American Legion member). “Bill is a fellow PTHS alumni and was a client,” she says. The Pequannock Township Town Council meeting followed with a proclamation read. It was all-around a very special time for McMahon.

In her free time, family is everything. McMahon and her husband love spending time with their daughters and their three granddaughters, Genevieve, Margaux, and Blake. Just as they did for their own girls, they try never to miss a softball or soccer game or a recital for dance. “Babysitting the grandkids and making memories is precious time. I’ve always said: ‘My appointments are my kids,’” McMahon reflects fondly.

McMahon is also very proud of her Irish Heritage. Her grandfather was born in County Armagh, Ireland. She’s one of 35 cousins. Most grew up in Pequannock and enjoy family reunions through the years, attending the Irish Festival in Monmouth annually. Her family is excited that the cousin of her grandfather is up for Sainthood. “Blessed Father Solanus Casey is one step away from canonization. We hope this happens soon,” says McMahon.

McMahon loves to travel and visit different football stadiums with friends. “I have friendships that date back to grade school. I cherish them,” she says. Relaxing on her beautiful front porch is her favorite part of the day.

“I hold my family in high regard, as it inspires my passion and drives me to give back to those in need. From supporting local charities to dedicating my time to volunteer efforts, I am committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” says McMahon. It’s no doubt McMahon loves our township and her family. Congratulations, Citizen of the Year!

BY ANTONIETTA HENRY