In Memoriam: Mary Aileen Matheis 1926-2025

Orange County has lost a dedicated public servant, long-time popular elected official, attorney, realtor and devoted mother of seven. Mary Aileen Matheis died peacefully at home in Woodbridge on March 5.  She was 98.

Mary Aileen was well-known across Orange County for her 32 years of continuous public service on the Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors. Four time-elected president of that board, voters rewarded her leadership with the highest number of votes countywide in four election cycles. Statements of support and endorsement represent a veritable “who’s who” of statewide and local elected and appointed public officials and other leading public servants.

Her commitment to affordable, clean water, and to conservation and water management, led her to become a founding member of the board of directors of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, a reconstructed wetlands considered by many to be one of the jewels of Orange County; and the board of the Shadetree Partnership, an environmental organization that encourages growing plants and trees locally.  She also served on the board of the Urban Water Institute.

As a long-time member of the California Association of Realtors, Mary Aileen was also well-recognized and respected in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. She was named as Realtor of the Year by CAR and won the same award three times from the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley chapter.  Her name can be found on the National Association of Realtors Wall of Honor in Washington, D.C.  

Mary Aileen Matheis was born in Troy, New York, on September 8, 1926, the third of five children to Charles Ranney, a lawyer, elected district attorney and later judge in Rensselaer County, and Edna (Fanning) Ranney.  With her devoted husband of 58 years, the late Charles W. Matheis, Sr., Mary Aileen raised seven children in Buffalo, N.Y., and Orange County.  

Having raised her family, Mary Aileen pursued a law degree. As a practicing attorney since 1982, Mary Aileen became a member of the Orange County Bar Association, with later admissions to practice before federal courts including the U.S. Supreme Court.  

Later, at the behest of County Supervisor Don Wagner, she was a member of the Orange County Board of Assessment Appeals, the agency that considers taxpayer appeals for adjustments to property taxes. For her work on appeals she received the “Volunteer of the Year” award.  

In 2000 California State Senator Ross Johnson nominated her for the award of California Woman of the Year in State Senate District 35.  She received the award on the floor of the state Senate.

The basis for much of Mary Aileen’s effectiveness began with her education but was driven by her determination and strong will.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Russell Sage College, a master’s degree in speech communication from the State University of New York, and her Juris Doctor from Western State College of Law.

Mary Aileen began her professional career as a radio broadcaster in Troy and then Buffalo. She also taught drama and speech communication classes at the high school and college levels in Buffalo.

Mary Aileen was a 46-year parishioner at St. John Neumann Church in Irvine. For many years her clear enunciation and excellent diction was appreciated by many in her volunteer capacity as a lector of liturgical passages during Mass.  

Over the years she was a member of the Catholic Charities Orange County Board of Trustees. The Lincoln Club of Orange County, the Exchange Club of Irvine, and the Irvine Valley Foundation Board of Governors also benefitted from her service.

All her loving children are grateful to have had the opportunity to draw near to her close to the time of her passing:  Mary Cheryl, of Herndon, Va.; Charles, Jr., of Huntington Beach; Peter, of Colorado Springs; Joan, of Naples, Fl.; Paul, of Foothill Ranch; Edna, of Edgewood, Colo; and Edward, of Newport Beach.  Mary Aileen had seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, 19 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Charles Matheis, Sr. in 2009.  

If you would like to share your condolences or memories of Mrs. Matheis with her family, you may send them to:

3 Teal
Irvine, CA 92604

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 4, at 11:00 a.m. at:

St. John Neumann Catholic Church
5101 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92604

A reception will follow immediately at:

Irvine Ranch Water District Headquarters
5600 Sand Canyon Avenue
Irvine, CA 92618