NEW YORK - The serene waters surrounding Bailey Island in Maine was the scene of a sudden shark attack Monday that left a New York City woman dead. 

Officials are calling it a rare and isolated incident.

"I want to stress that this is a very highly unusual event. In fact, this is the only confirmed fatality in Maine waters from a shark attack," said Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher.

Investigators say 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach was bitten by a great white shark while swimming with her daughter Monday just 20 yards from the coastline. Two kayakers witnessed the attack and paddled out to rescue her but it was too late.  emergency crews pronounced her dead at the scene.

Officials say the wetsuit Holowach was wearing may have attracted the shark, which was likely hunting seals that gather in the area. The community where she and her family spent their summers now grieving.

"Julie and her husband are just well known very respected individuals and the community is really at a tough juncture," said Maine Marine Patrol Major Rob Beal.

According to her LinkedIn page, Holowach was a retail and fashion executive, at one point the president of Kipling Americas.

A spokesperson for the company reacted saying, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Julie.  She was an incredible leader who brought out the best in her team and colleagues."

She's also being remembered by the accessories company Sea Bags where she was a board member. The company's statement said, "Her passion for the ocean, the state of Maine and causes we believe in made her an invaluable supporter and friend"

Officials are warning visitors to the Maine coast to be vigilant to avoid swimming near schooling fish, which attract seals, which attracts sharks.