Florence Beatrice Axelrod

Florence was the beloved wife of the late Solomon (Bill) Axelrod. She was born on August 11, 1924 in Brooklyn to the late Max and Rose (Plotkin) Kamenetzky. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Susan Barbara and her brothers, Leo, Berny and Murray. A life member of Hadassah, she was active in the youth movement Hashomer Hatzair. as a teenager. During the war, Florence worked for the USO and was active in many war efforts, including serving as a Nurse’s Aide.

Florence married her teenage sweetheart and cherished her role as mother to four children. In her early years, she was a homemaker and in later years, she was a professional woman who managed a full-time career and raised a large family who adored her. She was treasured by her husband and deeply admired by her extended family.

She was an avid Mah Jongg, Canasta and card player and enjoyed knitting, pottery, sewing(without patterns!), painting and playing the piano.. She was active in School PTA, Hadassah and Temple Sisterhood groups. She enjoyed going to the Catskill Mountains every summer. Returning to college as an adult to take Accounting and Business courses, she was an Office Manager at a large corporation in Long Island.

She deeply valued her friendships — several close friends she met as a child continued to be close friends throughout her lifetime and she made new friends wherever she went. She and her husband were active in The Commack JCC Retirement Club —participating and organizing classes, lectures, trips and galas. When they moved to Palm Beach, they continued to be active and involved.

Florence enjoyed travel with her husband —visiting many of the fifty states as well as Israel. She enjoyed Jewish culture and exploring genealogy—even before computers enabled such endeavors. She was able to recite names, vocations, spouses children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of her very large family. And, knew of cousins in every corner of the world. She was always happy entertaining and cooking for get togethers. She always had an extensive wardrobe and took pride in her appearance. Go out without lipstick? Never.

She truly cherished her family —as well as family gatherings. In fact, the very day she left Rehab after being hospitalized a few years ago, she traveled to New York for her great grandson’s bris. Nothing made her happier than being surrounded by her loved ones!

She always belonged to a synagogue, her home was filled with Judaica, she kept a Kosher home and Shabbas dinners and holiday gatherings were very important to her.

She had a genuine interest, kindness and generosity for other people. She even carried gifts in the trunk of her car in case she and her husband spontaneously stopped by to visit someone. New babies, engagements, graduations—all warranted a gift and a card. She never missed a birthday. She truly left a deep and lasting impression on people that she met. Her twinkling eyes, her warm smile and her open heart characterized her life. Her husband loving referred to her as a “malach," an angel, and she was!

She will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind: daughters Alice (Abe) Zimelman, Toby (Cliff) Dickson and Rachele (Brad) Pollack. She was the proud grandmother of Adam(Annie), Rebecca(Jamie) EJ(Alex) , Jake and Samantha as well as step-grandmother to Eric (Nicole), Steven (Jodi) and Ilana (Jeff) and the extraordinarily happy great-grandmother of Samson, Solomon, Alexander Liam and Fiona. Also, step great-grandmother to Carli, Taylor, Sam, Jake, Kylie, Caitlin and Zachary. She will be greatly missed by her cherished sister Eleanor, as well. She was a much loved Aunt to many nieces and nephews(and great nieces and nephews) and was deeply loved by all her cousins—too many to enumerate. But, she could recite them all!

She was treasured and will be lovingly remembered and deeply mourned.