Aneta Siegel, a 53-year resident of the Topanga Ranch Motel, died June 1 at 86. Siegel had been in the news lately because she received an eviction notice from the California Department of Parks and Recreation while recovering in a Santa Monica convalescent hospital from major surgery. State parks had offered to pay her $49,000 to relocate because of its plans to build a park in the area, but Siegel told The Malibu Times in an April interview, “What will I do with that? Where will I go?”
Siegel was born in New York and spent much of her early life working at the American Embassy in London. She also attended London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Siegel moved into the Topanga Ranch Motel in 1951.
Siegel had no known family. Topanga Ranch management said they were looking into getting her body buried at a military cemetery. Siegel once served with the Women’s Army Corps, where she produced radio shows for the Armed Forces Network. Topanga Ranch management said a memorial service would also take place sometime next month for Siegel.