Flavia Perine

Perine, Flavia
December 1, 1936 - November 17, 2010
Flavia was a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend, whose remarkable spirit touched us all. She passed away Nov. 17, 2010, at her home in Sherman Oaks, surrounded by her two loving daughters and devoted husband.
Her life's journey was as extraordinary as the woman who made it. Flavia was born Dec. 1, 1936, in Shanghai, China. Her mother worked for the Shanghai Telephone Company. Her father was a dentist who followed in the footsteps of his own father, who was dentist to the last Empress Dowager of China.
In 1950, Flavia emigrated to New York City with her father and stepmother. Upon graduating from high school in the Bronx, she worked at her father's restaurant in Chinatown. It was there that she was "discovered" by a local architect, who began photographing her. She soon started modeling and entering beauty contests in the New York Chinese community.
After winning several regional contests, she competed for the title of Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Though she was runner-up, she was offered parts in two Broadway shows on the same day--"The World of Suzie Wong" and "Flower Drum Song."
Fatefully, Flavia chose "Suzie Wong," acting in the Broadway production and the national company, and it was there she met the love of her life, Parke Perine. They wed in December 1960. In 1961, their first daughter, Laura, was born. Flavia did later act in two productions of "Flower Drum Song," and she continued modeling and acting until she retired from show business when the family moved to Los Angeles. In 1968, their second daughter, Andrea, was born.
As her children grew older, Flavia settled into her favorite role--that of mother and wife. She began bilingual teaching and became a school librarian. She was also a competitive tennis player. Of all that she accomplished, she was always most proud of her family, and she was never happier than when they were all together. And even as her circle of family and friends grew, her dinner table always had room for one more.
She is survived by her husband, a television writer for whom 50 years of marriage was not nearly long enough; two enormously proud and thankful daughters, for whom her love was boundless; four special grandchildren, whom she showered with love each and every day of their lives; two lucky sons-in-law, for whom she was a second mom; an extended family with whom she shared a lifetime of laughter and love; and a legion of loyal and caring friends who will miss her dearly but never forget her.