Florence Rubin Elion

The Dynamic Mrs. Florence “Flip” Elion Mascott (née Rubin) died peacefully and among caring special friends in Good Samaritan Medical Center on August 20, 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 92.

Florence is survived by her son, Edward (“Eddie”) Elion; grandchildren, Marissa, Michael, and Mark (Wife: Deepa) Elion; great grandbaby, Bodhin Fischer Elion; and scores of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and great friends. Florence is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Frances Rubin (née Saklad); brothers, Jason and Joseph Rubin; and sister, Mildred (Rubin) Goldman.

Florence was born on April 12, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school, Florence studied to be a radio technician in a National Youth Association program and was ultimately hired by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) radiation lab where Florence assisted professors with the development of Radar and Loran. Florence also studied meteorology at a Boston radio station and navigation at MIT. Meanwhile, Florence found a way to scrimp together enough money to pay for 35 hours of flight training. With her mother’s encouragement and the last of the funds from her mother’s piggybank, and after passing the same written test and physical/eye exams as the male cadets, Florence—still a teenager—became the youngest of 25,000 applicants accepted to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (the “WASP”) training program. As a WASP Trainee, Florence trained on all the same aircraft as the male pilots—she exceled at “spins, stalls, and pylon eights” in the Stearman PT-17.

In 1950, Florence married the dashingly handsome Max (“Mac”) Elion—a Connecticut businessman. Two years later, the couple welcomed baby Eddie into their home. In 1960, Florence was widowed. Undeterred, Florence won the women’s golf championship of the Shenecosset Country Club for the second time in 1961 (she also won in 1958). Typified by elegant attire, and always ahead of the trends, Florence’s beloved niece Elisa Leavitt (née Rubin) declared that “a visit from Florence and Eddie was like a visit from Hollywood stars.” Notably, Florence was also a pioneer in the field of electrolysis, and she created her own aesthetics startup business in the 1960s.

Throughout the 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s Florence traveled the World (e.g. Israel, Russia, South America, New Guinea, and Africa). Eventually, Florence settled in Palm Beach, Florida in 1979. There, Florence took courses in photography, volunteered for charities and as a poll worker, and was active in the lives of her three grandchildren, who were born in the early 1980s. In the 1990s, Florence started a new career as a professional card player—she thoroughly enjoyed teaching Grandson Michael how to count cards.

In 2002, Florence married Robert (“Bob”) Mascott. In 2010, the WASP were honored in Washington, DC with the Congressional Gold Medal—Florence was in attendance with Granddaughter Marissa. Florence was humbled by the honor the WASP received. Florence and Bob spent ten amazing years together. They dedicated their lives to travel, charity, and helping others. In 2012, Florence was widowed again. For the rest of her life, Florence insisted Bob was the sweetest man she ever knew. They were truly best friends.

Florence was an athlete, a seamstress, a craftswoman, a handywoman, a convertible car aficionado, a photobug, an adventurer, a trendsetter, a patriot, and an icon. Her grandchildren, who were instructed to call her by her first name from a young age because Florence believed she was “too young to be called ‘grandma’” remember her as a fearless, independent, adventurous, generous, charitable, outgoing woman who encouraged them to pursue their goals, strive for ever-higher education, see the World, put family first, and always clean their plates!

Florence exceled at almost everything but was most proud of her time in the Women Airforce Service Pilots training program. Later in Florence’s remarkable life, Florence made jewelry and sold it at air shows around the Country to raise money to help the WASP obtain a float in the 2014 Rose Bowl Parade—they were successful. Florence was selected to ride on the float and was thrilled (and surprised) by the adulation the WASP received—it was one of the fondest memories of her life. Another highlight of Florence’s later years was her selection for an Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2014. While in DC, Florence toured the U.S. WWII Memorial and kibitzed with Grandson Mark, a DC resident. And in January of 2017, Florence spoke to an audience of 7,000 at a woman’s rally in West Palm Beach and advised the crowd that “Women Can Do Everything!” Florence loved her grandchildren, Maine lobster, and corn on the cob. Florence was passionate about her Jewish heritage, family values, charity, helping others, and service to Country. Florence may truly have been the most interesting woman in the World!

A memorial is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 27, 2017 at 3400 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480 (North Tower), with a reception to follow. Rabbi/Cantor Sharon Steinberg will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Florence’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National WASP WWII Museum at waspmuseum.org. The family would like to thank the oncology unit at Good Samaritan Hospital for their efforts and kindness while treating Florence. Per her “Can-Do” ethos, Florence chose to attack her disease head on and she fought hard. Florence Elion Mascott was loved, admired, adored, and will be missed by many.