In a devastating turn of events, a 95-year-old Hollywood actress and Altadena resident, Dalyce Curry, perished in the Eaton fire. Her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, shared that Curry had dedicated her life to the community, stating, "She poured her heart and soul into Altadena."
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Dalyce Kelley and her grandmother, Dalyce Curry, who tragically passed away in the Eaton fire.
The day started as any other for Kelley and her grandmother, but it took a tragic turn.
Kelley, who had become the caretaker for Curry, a long-time Altadena resident and former Hollywood actress, accompanied her to several medical appointments on January 7. After hours of tests, they received the all-clear to head home.
As they returned via the 5 Freeway, they noticed wildfire smoke in the distance, but deemed it safe.
Upon arriving at Curry's home on Krenz Avenue, Kelley decided to check on her grandmother the next day due to another family member's illness.
Kelley, part of a neighborhood chat group, asked if anyone could look in on Curry if an evacuation was ordered. A "thumbs up" emoji was the reassuring reply.
Regretfully, as she passed a command center, Kelley didn't stop to inquire about the fire's status or potential evacuation plans.
Awakened by a text at 6 a.m. about an evacuation order, Kelley called 911 for help with her grandmother but ended up driving to the residence herself.
The dark smoke from the wildfire was a foreboding sight as Kelley drove, and she was stopped by a police roadblock. After verification, she headed to the Pasadena Civic Center, an evacuation shelter, hoping to find Curry.
A call from the police officer shattered her hopes; Curry's house was gone, destroyed by the fire.
Despite searching at shelters, Kelley could not find her grandmother and filed a missing-person report. The National Guard stopped her return to Altadena, but later escorted her to the ruins of Curry's home.
All that remained were a few items, as everything else had vanished. The coroner later confirmed the discovery of human remains on the property.
Born in 1929, Curry had a successful acting career with roles in notable films and was also a talented tap dancer and singer. She was mentored by Madame Sul-Te-Wan, a pioneering Black woman in film.
Kelley, inspired by her grandmother's passion for the arts, worked in radio and music video production. Curry was remembered as a "very glamorous" person, always well-coiffed and made up.
Kelley recalled her grandmother's wisdom, "Darling, things are never as terrible as they appear," which gave her strength during difficult times.
Kelley advocates for better emergency measures for the elderly, especially those not tech-savvy, as Curry struggled with her cellphone.
She lamented the lack of door-to-door notifications and the delay in evacuation texts, which allowed the fire to spread unchecked.
Altadena, with its multicultural community and strong sense of legacy, was dear to Curry's heart, and she spent over two decades there.
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