Mina Wise led a wonderful life. She passed away on July 31, 2013, at the age of 93.
She was born Wilhelmina Gordon in Portland, Ore., on Nov. 22, 1919.
As a young lady, she moved to Carmel, San Francisco and Hollywood. In the 1950s, she was employed as an administrative assistant for Capitol Records and the William Morris Company. And as a confidant to the stars.
Her love of the beach, tennis, dancing, art and books brought her to Laguna Beach in 1960. Her dedicated relationship with builder David Young and family was lifelong.
As a lover of the arts, she volunteered as a model at the “Pageant of the Masters.” Then, she became the secretary for the Laguna Beach School of Art, befriending local artists such as Armen Gasparian, Roger Armstrong, Frank and Phil Interlandi, Leonard Kaplan, Paul Darrow and and notable others.
Wise has a wonderful book collection, which she donated to the Laguna Beach Friends of the Library.
Her last years were enjoyed with “delicious” dinners, many devoted friends and much laughter.
Wise embodied a hip bohemian style and inspired a sense of grace.
God speed, Mina, and love from all that knew you.
As a longtime member of Laguna’s St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, her memorial service will be held there on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
hello, i’m from mina wises’s family in england & i wonder if you could pass on my message to other family members in the usa? maybe her friends have their details? i have names from her cousins’ families (collins & stebbins) but no contact addresses, phone numbers or emails and would very much like to get in touch.
please let me know whether or not this is possible or if you’d like more information.
with thanks in advance,
sara coxon-hayles