Stella Atwill passed away on January 6 after a long illness. She was 81. The 10th youngest of 11 children, Stella was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1923, in Santa Monica. She graduated from Santa Monica High School and attended Santa Monica City College. She had an extensive background in regional theater when she was discovered in 1947 by a talent scout on the legendary corner of Hollywood and Vine and signed to a contract by Paramount Studios. In April 1948, she retired from acting and married Jack Atwill, a prominent businessman. Together they traveled the world while Jack set up plants in Europe, Japan, Mexico and Germany. At one time the entire Atwill family moved to Munich, Germany, for a year. Jack died in 1995. Stella was an active member of many charity organizations, the Guild 4, the Garden Club, and The Little Flower League, to name a few. She was the president of The Fashionettes, a title she held several times over 35 years. Her efforts helped raise money for the department of oncology at the Queen of Angels Hospital (Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center). She was most passionate about helping to raise money to fight cancer and develop early detection and treatment programs. Mother, grandmother, and loyal friend, Stella loved people, parties and entertaining. She is survived by her daughter Stephanie Atwill-Rocco and her husband Ron Rocco, son John and his wife Tatyana, son Gregory and his wife Mary, and grandchildren Adelaide and Jack, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to Pacific Cancer Institute, attn. Melanoma Research Treatment and Prevention, 2001 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 560 W, Santa Monica 90404 or John Wayne Cancer Institute, attn. Oncology Research, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 90404.
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