Mar Vista resident, Florence Ponton was born in Santa Monica. She graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1940 where she met the love of her life, Thomas Ponton. They were married for 69 years. She spent her summers swimming in the bay where her father was a lifeguard. She went to Beauty College and became a beauty operator. In later years, she often did her friends hair at home. During WWII, Flo worked in the mail room at Douglas Aircraft factory, while Tom was in the Navy. There she delivered mail to the various divisions while on her roller skates, or a bicycle. Flo and Tom had 2 boys, Tom and Greg and lived in 3 different homes in Mar Vista. She was blessed with 4 grandchildren, Kimberly, Brenda, Jeffrey, and Timothy, and one great granddaughter, Skylar. In 2010 Flo attended an elaborate funeral for her husband Tom, along with a large turn out from the Santa Monica Fire Dept. where Tom had a 30 year career. She will always be remembered for her warm heart and welcoming spirit. Always a dog or cat owner, she loved animals. Her favorite charity was the SPCA. Donations to any animal rescue organization in lieu of flowers would be her wish.
