Flonita Guayante

Our beloved Flonita Guayante passed away due to heart failure on May 24, 2015 at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in San Pedro, California. She had recently celebrated her 89th birthday.

Flonita was born on April 30, 1926 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Marguerite and John Lee. While still very young, the family moved to Long Beach, California where she graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Flonita also attended numerous classes at Long Beach City College, some of which were taken concurrently with her daughter Linda.

Flonita was married to Nemecio (Mitch) Q. Rodriguez in 1945 shortly after his return from World War II where he was awarded two Purple Hearts after he and his B-17 Air Crew were shot down on three different occasions. She was married to Mitch until his passing on December 22, 1979 at the age of 63. These years of Flonita's life were spent working with Mitch in the creation of a number of successful businesses and raising their daughter Linda. They loved boating and could often be seen leaving or returning to the Long Beach Marina after spending time in Catalina. In 1968, they fulfilled a goal of designing and building their dream home in San Pedro where Flonita enjoyed the rest of her years.

On October 27, 1984 Flonita was married to retired Army Colonel Joseph Guayante. Colonel Joe had been a close and longtime friend of Flonita's previous husband. After his wife passed, Joe and Flonita discovered their love for one another. While in the Army, Joe served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict. He married Flo near the end of this second career working for the County of Riverside. After Joe retired, he and Flonita explored the world together. During this time period, they had great fun on more than 50 cruises with family and close friends. They visited just about every place that was accessible by ship. Flonita's all-time favorite trip was an African Safari. Oddly enough, there was no ship involved in the Safari. The Safari was even more fun because it was shared with Joe's sister Eva and her husband Rey. Flonita's marriage to Joe ended with his passing on February 15, 2009.
Flonita is survived by her daughter Linda Ankrom (and husband Richard). She is also survived by Joe's children Dennis Guayante (and wife Ellen), Cindy Guayante and Barbara Rodriguez (and husband Ronald). Flonita is also survived by her grandchildren Erin Pottmeyer (and husband Adam), Anne Antonini (and husband Adam), Brian Guayante (and his wife Jennifer), Meagan van Schilfgaarde, Alyssa van Schilfgaarde and Joseph Rodriguez. She is also survived by two great grandchildren; Forrest Pottmeyer and Allison Antonini.

Flonita felt truly blessed to have so many loving friends and family. One of Flonita's neighbors really captured her essence in a birthday note that said: "Despite your health issues you manage to be upbeat, very attractive, informed and the classiest 89 year old lady driving her red Mercedes around San Pedro."

Flonita's internment will be in a mausoleum at Green Hills Cemetery on Monday, June 1st where she will share a resting place with her mother, Marguerite. Per her wishes, no funeral ceremony will be held.
Anyone wishing to honor Flonita's life can do so by sending a donation on her behalf to one of her two favorite charities:

• Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 110 East 42nd Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017

• Macula Vision Research Foundation, One Tower Bridge, 100 Front Street, Suite 300, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275