Ingrid Elisabeth McGuire

Ingrid McGuire, a beloved friend, devoted public servant, and cherished pillar of the Dana Point community, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at the age of 93, leaving behind a life rich in service, resilience, and unforgettable presence. Her path, from her childhood in Austria to decades of leadership in Southern California, was defined by determination, curiosity, and a heartfelt commitment to the people and places she loved.

Born on December 30, 1931 in Eisenstadt, Ingrid was the middle of three daughters of Walter Getreu. Her early years were shaped by profound transition and responsibility, experiences that nurtured her remarkable independence and strength. Even as a schoolgirl, she worked as a tutor to earn her own spending money, often using it to purchase the stylish clothing she loved, a passion for fashion and elegance that remained with her throughout her life.

After graduating from high school, Ingrid a pursued a degree in chemistry at the University of Graz. She later received a one year scholarship to study in the United States, an opportunity that changed her life forever. During this time, she met Jim, who honored his promise to return to Austria three years later. They married and soon moved together to the United States, where Ingrid completed her studies and built a life filled with adventure and global experience.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Ingrid and Jim spent seven years in Saigon during his service with the United States government. Their time overseas was vibrant and culturally rich, and the memories they created there remained treasured parts of her story. After leaving Vietnam, they began a new chapter in California, a place Ingrid would ultimately call home for the rest of her life.

In California, Ingrid’s passion for community, leadership, and civic engagement came fully into bloom. She played a vital role in the early years of the City of Dana Point, which incorporated in 1989. She was elected to the Dana Point City Council in 1998, and quickly became known for her thoughtful approach to local governance. She served as Mayor Pro Tempore during the city’s formative years and as Mayor from 1999 to 2000. She was recognized in official state and regional documents as Hon. Ingrid McGuire, Mayor, for her leadership and service.

Ingrid’s dedication to public service extended well beyond City Hall. She was elected multiple times to the South Coast Water District Board of Directors, where she worked on critical regional water and infrastructure issues. By 2012, she was serving as Board Vice President, an acknowledgment of the respect and trust she earned over many years. Throughout her career, she contributed to decisions on land use, responsible development, community services, and long term planning. She brought a steady voice to local discussions, supported fair compensation for council service, and participated in important civic conversations that helped shape the future of Dana Point.

A lifelong lover of fitness, social connection, and personal style, Ingrid lived vibrantly. She enjoyed gymnastics, keeping active, meeting friends, and always presenting herself with elegance.

Friends and family remembered her striking fashion sense, including floor length skirts, dramatic coats, and even the occasional pair of cowboy boots with spurs, an outward expression of a spirited and confident personality.

Ingrid’s life was a tapestry woven with international experience, civic leadership, unwavering resilience, and a deep appreciation for beauty and connection. She served her community with integrity and heart, and she moved through the world with poise, warmth, and unmistakable style.

She will be remembered with love and gratitude by her family, her friends, her colleagues, and the many residents of Dana Point whose lives she touched. Her legacy lives on in the city she helped shape and in the countless people fortunate enough to have known her.

May she rest in peace.

A Catholic Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 5, 2025, in the Legacy Chapel of Pacific View Mortuary, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, CA. The Rite of Committal & Interment will immediately follow in the Garden of Valor Section of Pacific View Memorial Park, where she will be laid to rest.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Pacific View Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, CA, 92625.