Hollywood is mourning the loss of Dalyce Curry, a 95-year-old veteran actress, who tragically perished in the devastating Eaton Fire that swept through the Altadena area of Los Angeles. Her remains were discovered in her burned-down home, bringing a heart-wrenching end to a frantic search by her family and authorities.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed Curry’s death on Sunday, January 12, days after the fire destroyed her residence. Known affectionately as “Momma D” to her loved ones, Curry’s acting career spanned decades, with appearances in iconic films such as The Blues Brothers, The Ten Commandments, and Lady Sings the Blues.
A Tragic Series of Events
Curry’s granddaughter, Kelley, recounted the final moments she spent with her beloved grandmother. After a long day of hospital visits, Kelley dropped Dalyce off at her Altadena home around midnight on Tuesday, January 7, unaware that tragedy would soon strike.
The next morning, Kelley received a troubling text message about a power outage at her grandmother’s house. Concerned, she rushed to Altadena to check on Curry. Upon arrival, an officer delivered the devastating news.
“I’m sorry, your grandmother’s property is gone. It totally burned down,” the officer told Kelley.
Desperate to find her grandmother, Kelley was advised to head to the Pasadena Civic Center, where evacuees were gathering after being displaced by the wildfire. But days of searching ended in sorrow when the coroner confirmed that Curry’s remains had been found among the wreckage of her home.
A Home Reduced to Ashes
Recalling the first time she saw her grandmother’s destroyed property, Kelley described the scene as “total devastation.”
“Everything was gone except her blue Cadillac,” she said.
Despite the destruction, Kelley held on to hope during the search, telling Eyewitness News that she was praying for a miracle.
“Honestly, we don’t feel very hopeful that she’s still here with us,” she said at the time.
Sadly, those hopes were dashed when confirmation of Dalyce’s death came on Sunday, January 12.
A Life Full of Dreams and Love for Altadena
Describing her grandmother’s zest for life, Kelley shared that Dalyce Curry had an enduring love for her hometown and a strong spirit that defied her age.
“She loved Altadena. There was no one who loved that city more than my grandmother. She said she had not yet begun to live, so I knew she would be here beyond 100,” Kelley said.
Despite her advanced age, Curry dreamed of finding love again.
“She still wanted to date, she wanted to find a husband,” Kelley added, underscoring her grandmother’s vibrant personality and refusal to let age define her life.
A Call for Better Emergency Response
Amid the grief, Kelley and her family have expressed frustration with the emergency alert system, which they believe failed to adequately warn elderly residents in the fire’s path.
“They have to do better with the emergency system because that’s a very elderly community,” Kelley said.
She pointed out that relying solely on cellphone alerts is insufficient, as many older residents do not use mobile phones regularly.
“We can’t just rely on the cellphone because elderly people don’t really do cellphones. That’s not the only way we should notify people when there are evacuation orders.”
Kelley also questioned why evacuation warnings were not issued earlier, lamenting that there were no visible alerts when she dropped Curry off at her home.
“Why was I allowed to have access to her home at midnight and not have any danger warnings? No highway signs saying, ‘This is an evacuation zone.’”
A Community in Mourning
The loss of Dalyce Curry has left a void in both her family and the Altadena community, where she was a beloved figure. Known for her warmth, humor, and unwavering spirit, Curry’s death is a stark reminder of the human toll that natural disasters can take.
As her family mourns her passing, they continue to call for improvements in how emergency evacuations are communicated, hoping to prevent future tragedies in vulnerable communities.
Curry’s legacy lives on through her family and her memorable roles on screen, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood and the hearts of those who knew her.
