Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 | 9:41 a.m.
Although Corky Moss hasn't lived in Las Vegas for more than 30 years, her philanthropic work can still be felt in the many successful programs she either started or nurtured in Las Vegas' formative years.
Civic groups such as the Junior League and education programs such as Head Start for disadvantaged students can thank Moss for her boundless energy and endearing philanthropy.
Corinne Joyce "Corky" Moss, who continued her philanthropy in San Diego by supporting several arts organizations for 34 years, died Wednesday at her longtime home in Coronado, Calif., following a lengthy illness. She was 77.
Moss was the daughter of noted Las Vegas landowner and developer Murray Wollman, whose downtown Wollman Hotel long operated where the Four Queens now stands.
Services for the Las Vegas resident of two stints totaling 25 years were Thursday at Greenwood Cemetery in San Diego.
"She was a very brilliant woman -- a real take-charge person," said former Clark County District Attorney George Dickerson, a longtime friend. "There was not much of a population when Corky started her work here, and in those early days she made a rather enormous donation of her time."
Born Corinne Wollman to Murray and Agnes Wollman on April 22, 1924, she moved with her family to Las Vegas in 1936 and graduated from Las Vegas High in 1941.
At Las Vegas High, she was active for four years in the Honor Club, Student Council and Girl Reserves and was a member of the Girls Letter Club, Drama Club, Latin Club and Chemistry Club.
At Stanford University she majored in drama and speech and graduated with distinction in 1945. She was elected to the Cap and Gown Society.
After college Corky worked in Hollywood at Samuel Goldwyn's movie studio, where she read and screened movie scripts for possible production.
In 1946 Corky married Melvin S. Moss, who survives her. They had two daughters, Ellen and Rosemary. The family moved to Detroit before settling in Las Vegas in 1952, where Corky devoted her time to the disadvantaged.
She was a founding member of the Head Start program and was active in the John S. Park Elementary School PTA. Moss was active in the Girl Scouts and served as president of the Service League of Las Vegas, which today is called the Junior League. She was a founding member of the Temple Beth Sholom nursery school.
The Mosses moved to Coronado in 1967, where Corky went to docent school for two years and became a docent at the San Diego Museum of Art. She later served as president of the Docents of the San Diego Museum.
She was a member of the San Diego Symphony Association, the San Diego Opera Guild, the Old Globe Theater and the Junior League of San Diego.
The Mosses visited Las Vegas frequently since moving to San Diego, Dickerson said.
In addition to her husband, Moss is survived by her daughter Ellen and her grandson Jonathan.
The family said donations can be made to the San Diego Hospice, 4311 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103.
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