SAN BRUNO -- Ann Calvello, the original "Roller Derby Queen" known for intimidating rivals and even teammates while skating well into her 60s, has died of liver cancer. She was 76.
The roller derby icon died on Tuesday, just days after she was diagnosed, said her partner, Bill Prieto. Calvello's death was confirmed by the San Mateo County coroner.
Calvello is best known as the star skater for the San Francisco Bay Bombers. Roller derby, which reached its popular heights in the 1970s, featured choreographed moves, hair-pulling brawls and flashy outfits.
Former teammate Carol "Peanuts" Meyers Roman remembered a fight with Calvello on the track that continued in the dressing room.
"She came at me and grabbed me around the waist and head," and soon equipment was flying around the room, Roman said.
Calvello joined her first roller derby team in 1948, when she was 18. She quickly gained a reputation as a bad girl because of her splashy clothing and multiple hair colors. She was called everything from the "Demon of the Derby" to the "Meanest Mama on Skates" before earning the "Roller Derby Queen" moniker.
Calvello skated in charity events into her 60s. She was the subject of a 2001 film, "Demon of The Derby."<
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steve.claesson said:
Should we get rid of all the sports and arts programs as well?
JustMike650 said:
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