Irvine Ranch Water District was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Board Member Mary Aileen Matheis — a valued leader in the water industry, the Orange County community, and in state and national professional and charitable circles.

Mary Aileen served as an IRWD Board member from 1988 to 2020, serving four times as president and eight times as vice president during that time. She was pivotal in the creation of IRWD’s San Joaquin Marsh and its Campus, and in the development of the District’s water infrastructure, water efficiency and supply diversification efforts that has made IRWD an internationally recognized leader in water-supply reliability.

For 32 years, Mary Aileen guided the quality of IRWD’s values-focused culture with an unwavering spirit to do what is right — motivating others with her boundless energy, electrifying smile and grace.

“She brought a level of maturity and intellect to every room, every conversation, every meeting,” General Manager Paul Cook said. “I always enjoyed the wisdom and guidance she brought to everything she did.”

Raised at a time when educational pursuits for women were rare, Mary Aileen earned a Bachelor of Arts in American History from The Sage Colleges in New York, a Master’s in Communication from the University of Buffalo, a Master’s in Speech Communication and Rhetoric from Buffalo State University, and Doctor of Law degree from Western State College of Law.

A practicing attorney and realtor, she was also active in professional circles serving on the Legal Affairs Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies, the Independent Special District of Orange County’s Executive Committee, the Urban Water Institute, Water Education Foundation, Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Council of Governments, South Orange County Economic Coalition, Water Education Foundation, and more.

She was admitted to the National Association of Realtor’s Wall of Honor in Washington, D.C., was selected as Woman of the Year by the State Senate Chamber in Sacramento, and presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Her civic and charitable activities included the Exchange Club of Irvine, the Lincoln Club of Orange County, the Irvine Valley College Foundation Board of Governors, San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc., Shadetree Partnership, and the Catholic Charities of Orange County Board of Trustees.

“I was always amazed at Mary Aileen’s energy, focus and enthusiasm for life,” IRWD Board President Doug Reinhart said. “But despite her many significant accomplishments at IRWD, those things really pale in comparison to her inexhaustible faith and commitment to family.”

Mary Aileen passed away on March 5 after visits with her seven children and extended family members. She was 98.

Described by many who knew her as a pioneer, trailblazer, peace-maker and great human being, she will be missed and remembered by all. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. April 4 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. A reception will follow at Irvine Ranch Water District headquarters.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE STATUS OF VACANCIES AND RECRUITMENT
AND RETENTION EFFORTS OF THE IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT

               NOTICE is hereby given that the IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT (IRWD) will hold a public hearing, in accordance with Government Code Section 3502.3, regarding the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts undertaken by the District. The purpose of the hearing will be to share information and identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may be hampering hiring; to receive a presentation, if requested, from the employee organization that represents certain District positions; and to invite and solicit public comments on the status of vacancies and the recruitment and retention efforts of the District.

               Government Code Section 3502.3 requires IRWD to hold a public hearing on the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts undertaken by the District each fiscal year, and to identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities that may be hampering hiring.

               Additional information about IRWD’s recruitment and retention efforts may be obtained by contacting IRWD’s Human Resources Department at (949) 453-5349, and additional information about this public hearing may be obtained by contacting Kristine Swan, IRWD’s District Secretary, at (949) 453-5300.

               The Board of Directors of IRWD will hold the hearing on Monday evening, March 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in the Board Room of the offices of IRWD located at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.

Dated:  February 24, 2025

Kristine Swan, District Secretary,
IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT
and the Board of Directors thereof

Did you know? Household leaks waste nearly 900 billion gallons of water each year in the U.S. That’s equal to the annual water use of 11 million homes.

Fix a Leak Week in March is a nationwide initiative empowering everyone to repair even minor leaks before they become major problems.

You can learn more by attending IRWD’s Fix a Leak Workshop from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 15. Sign up at IRWD.com/events.

Calling all young illustrators in our service area! Round up your art supplies and show off your creative chops in IRWD’s annual Water Awareness Poster Contest.

Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to participate by creating a poster showcasing what this year’s theme means to them: “Water Heroes: Saving Every Drop.”

Entries will be judged for originality, artistic ability, and adherence to the water efficiency theme and contest rules. Finalists will have a chance to win an iPad from the Municipal Water District of Orange County, and could be selected for a spot on Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s annual water awareness calendar.

Contest entries are due to IRWD by Feb. 26.

For contest rules and guidelines, visit IRWD.com/postercontest.