Editors' Corner

Rusty Tullis, from "Mask" fame, still at coroner's office
Brian Day, Correspondent
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
The body of Florence "Rusty" Tullis is still at the county coroner's office, nearly three months after she died.

Los Angeles County officials said the remains of the 70-year Glendora resident, portrayed by Cher in the 1985 movie "Mask," is expected to be cremated within the next two weeks.

"The family contacted us and asked the county to dispose of the remains," said Capt. Ed Winter.

The family can claim the remains after the body has been cremated, Winter said.

"We will hold it for one year," he said.

It will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in East Los Angeles, he said.

Tullis' niece, Helen Cunningham, said she plans to pick up the remains when the coroner makes them available.

Cunningham said she was pleased to learn that her aunt will finally be laid to rest, and her wishes carried out, she said.

She wanted to be cremated, said Cunningham, "She didn't want any dirt on her."

Tullis died November 11 due to injuries she received in an October 14 motorycle accident in Azusa, coroner's officials said.

She was recouperating from two broken legs and other injuries at the Rio Hondo Convalescent Hospital until November 10, when she was rushed to Beverly Hospital after complaining of stomach pain, disorientation, and other symptoms, where she died the following morning, Winter said after the coroner s examination was completed in January.

If no one claims the remains within a year, it will buried in a common grave, he said.