Janet Thomas de Cordova

DE CORDOVA Janet Thomas de Cordova, a former model and actress who for decades was one of the foremost figures of Hollywood and Beverly Hills society, died on Sep 1 at her home in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, at age 89. Mrs. de Cordova was born on Sep 14, 1919, and grew up in Dover, KY. She graduated in 1940 from Centre College and moved to NY, where she became one of that city's more in-demand models for several years. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career and was under contract with Paramount Studios. With her stylish blonde beauty and sparkling personality, she soon became a fixture of the film community's prestigious social events and dinner parties. In 1963, she married Fred de Cordova, who was until then one of Hollywood's most sought-after bachelors and the director of 23 feature films and more than 200 television programs. For the next 38 years, until Mr. de Cordova's death at age 90 in 2001, the De Cordovas resided in the Trousdale Estates neighborhood of Beverly Hills, CA and were among the most popular couples in the entertainment community. In 2006, Mrs. de Cordova moved to San Luis Potosi along with Gracie Covarrubias, her longtime assistant and friend. Mrs. de Cordova is survived by her loving goddaughter, Selene Covarrubias, and the many to whom she gave the priceless gift of wise counsel and deep friendship over the years and who will always cherish her in their memories. Private funeral services were held in Mexico. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA.