Florence Abarbanel, 99 of St. Augustine passed away Monday, March 18, 2019 at St Augustine Health and Rehab. Florence was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 24, 1919 to the late Isadore and Sarah Greene. She lived her early life in New York, spent considerable time in Miami Beach during WWII and then later settled in Philadelphia for more than 50 years until she retired to St Augustine, Florida with her late husband, Fred Abarbanel who passed away in 1999.
She was known for her great energy and personality was an accomplished bridge player, producer/director of theater, piano teacher/player, and accompanist and served on many charitable boards. She was a graduate of Adelphi College, and spoke fluent French.
Her father was a prominent attorney in New York, died during the great depression and her mother died in 1968.
Florence leaves behind two sons, Ian(retired attorney), Jack(semi-retired Physician); daughters-in-law, Ginny LaRue Abarbanel and Pamela Mortemore Abarbanel; grandchildren, Michelle, Ami, Jonathan, Jennifer, April, and 11 great grandchildren.
She was a member of the Unitarian Fellowship of St Augustine and First Congregation, Sons of Israel. She was a long time member of the St Augustine Bridge Club.

A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date St Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of her arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Augustine Record on Mar. 21, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Florence Abarbanel

Sponsored by The St. Augustine Record.

11 Entries

Merrill Shapiro

March 15, 2021

The youthful exuberance Florence brought to every single day of her life was a treasure!

Palmer Short

March 15, 2020

Florence brought out the best in me and also taught me patience. I can still hear say Palmer wait for the piano. We shared a love of music that was boundless. She has an engraved memory in my heart that will never be erased.Can't wait till we meet again. I can hear her say "Where's the piano?

Palmer Short

June 24, 2019

Florence came into my life and made an indelible impression. It was amazing how we seem to hit off immediately . I love to sing and she loved to play for me. She and I did probably eight shows for the Synagogue. When she was house bound I would come by on a Tuesday night and either take her out or bring her a shrimp dinner her favorite. Then we would watch Wheel Jeopardy and then she would play and I would sing. She always referred to me as her third son. and I relished that distinction. There is a hole in my heart that will never be filled. I"ve got a crush on you sweetie pie.

palmer short

April 10, 2019

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Robyn and Merrill Shapiro

March 26, 2019

Florence Abarbanel was a star in her own right and would illuminate any room that she entered. Her energy seemed boundless, her devotion of honesty, forthrightness and integrity a beacon by which we can all set our compasses! Her dedication to to First Congregation Sons of Israel and the Jewish community of St. Augustine was exciting to watch. Her capacity to ignore her own limitations to put on shows, plays and programs was a wonder to behold. She was as energetic at 90 as she was at 60!

Her loss will be keenly felt. May her family, of whom she was so proud, be comforted and consoled. May the soul of Florence Abarbanel be bound up in the bonds of life eternal!

Jindy Gelow

March 25, 2019

We will miss you. Thank you for the music you played and the fun that exuded from you into mine and others lives. You were quite a Lady. Rest in peace.

Carol Rovinsky

March 25, 2019

May Florence be remembered.
Carol Rovinsky

Jennifer Jacobson

March 21, 2019

We will miss her so very much. She had an enormous impact on my family with piano lessons, heartwarming stories, and her general warmth and loving nature and charismatic personality. We will never forget her and her memory will continue to be a blessing to all who knew her.

Meredeth & Marvin Mann

March 21, 2019

Florence was an amazing woman. Prayers for you all in this sad time.

March 20, 2019

To the family and friends of Florence,

Wishing you peace that comes with time and comfort in your memories. May the hearer of all prayers bring you hope. Romans 15:13

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results

Make a Donation
in Florence Abarbanel's name

Memorial Events
for Florence Abarbanel

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

St. John's Family Funeral Home & Crematory

385 SR 207, Saint Augustine, FL 32084

How to support Florence's loved ones

Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.