Florence Wallack's Obituary
FLORENCE WALLACK
May 31, 1924 ~ March 14, 2018
Florence’s parents, Mary and Jacob Grabarnick, emigrated to America through Ellis Island from Russia/Poland and settled in the Bronx, New York. Her father had a horse drawn vegetable cart during the “great Depression” and the family lived above the stable. She was born on May 31,1924, the fifth child of six, having two older sisters, Ida and Kutchie and two older brothers, Harry and Joe and a baby sister named Elsie.
She graduated from secretarial school and met her husband Ian Ben Wallack at a U.S.O. dance after World War II. Irving always said he knew he was going to marry her as soon as he saw her. They settled in Queens and had three children, Barbara, David and baby Laurie. The family migrated to Miami Beach in 1955.
They first purchased an apartment house at 852 Collins Avenue on South Beach where the family also lived through the latter 50’s and early 60’s. Also, in 1955, Irving and Florence purchased the Park Sea and Surf Sea Apartments at 900 and 910 Ocean Drive. Florence and her husband operated all as Apartment/Hotels until they pioneered refurbished CO-OP Apartment Sales on Miami Beach. During the 1960’s, she and the family lived at 3780 Royal Palm Avenue and in the latter 60’s and 70’s, at 1711 Cleveland Road on Biscayne Point.
In 1978, Florence joined with David and daughters Barbara and Laurie, and son-in-law, David O’Bryant to convert the 900/910 Ocean Drive buildings into the first Holistic Adult Living Facility for the Elderly, called The Eastern Sun. It was the first of its kind. The Eastern Sun also pioneered the concept of “Hospice” care. Florence was instrumental in the operation and success of this business. In 1990, Florence along with her son, joined the South Beach Renaissance and converted these same buildings into the internationally famous restaurant and nightclub, Mango’s Tropical Cafe. Florence was once again at the heart of the success of this pioneer Ocean Drive business. She retired from Mango’s in 2006 at the age of 81 to enjoy her friends and family. On the same property where she originally employed 3 people, now 250 people are gainfully employed, with millions of customers from throughout the world.
Florence loved golf, sculpting and Mahjong, but most of all, her family. Eight years ago when her health began to fail, she moved into her son’s home on Biscayne Bay in Morningside in Miami. There, on many beautiful days she could sit out, throw a ball to her dogs, and gaze across the bay at Miami Beach, the City she loved.
Florence passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children and her dogs.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Laurie and is survived by her son David, daughter Barbara, Grandchildren Joshua, Janna, Jacob and Blaze, and her great grandchildren Max, Miles, Shepherd, Brett, Mia, Caden and Ruby.
Unknown to so many, her creativity, guidance and wisdom helped to shape the lives of countless people, Ocean Drive, and the City of Miami Beach, with love, art and prosperity.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Florence Wallack to the Miami Beach Police Athletic League, www.beachpal.org. Arrangements by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert (305) 865-2353
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