Iconic actress Jane Russell died Monday in her Santa Maria home due to respiratory problems. She was 89 at the time of her passing.

Jane Russell came to prominence in the late 40s and early 50s, reigning as one of America's most popular sex symbols of that time. She appeared in such hit movies as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Double Dynamite, and Montana Belle. Here last performance onscreen was in the television show Hunter. She had continued singing and working for various causes in the weeks leading up to her death.

During her film career, Jane Russell founded WAIF, the Women's Adoption International Fund to facilitate U.S. adoptions of foreign orphans.

Jane Russell is survived by three grown children, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law. She also had six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren at the time of her death.

A service will be held to honor Jane Russell at Pacific Christian Church in Santa Maria, on March 23 at 11:00 a.m. A reception is scheduled to follow at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking the public to donate to:

Care Net Pregnancy & Resource Center

121 West Battles

Santa Maria, CA 93458

OR

CASA of Santa Barbara County

120 East Jones Street, Ste. 130

Santa Maria, CA 93454