* Florence Maulhardt; Pioneer Family Descendant

Florence Obiols Maulhardt, a pioneer family descendant, died at her home in Camarillo on Wednesday. She was 89.

She was born June 4, 1911, in Ventura. She was a sixth-generation Ventura County resident. Her great-great-great-grandfather was granted part of the Rancho Conejo in 1802, one of the only two Spanish grants awarded during the Spanish reign of California. On her mother’s side, her great-great-grandfather Jose de Jesus Rodriguez was granted the 8,877-acre Rancho Canada de San Miguelito , which was later called Taylor Ranch.

She was raised in Ventura and attended Holy Cross School. She went on to another Catholic school and then business college in San Francisco. She returned to Ventura and worked for Jack Rose selling clothing. She also helped to sell swimsuits by modeling the latest 1930s fashions. She met many of Ventura County’s prominent families, including Carmen Camarillo, who became a lifelong friend.

In 1943 she married Edward Jacob Maulhardt, the son of Louis Godfrey Maulhardt and Theresa Clara Borchard, descendants of two other pioneer families. The couple made their first home off Hueneme Road at the old Henry Maulhardt ranch. They leased several hundred acres to grow lima beans, and Florence became part of the crew during harvest time.

In 1963, the couple traded their ranch for several smaller ranches that included a 20-acre lemon ranch in Las Posas. Located near today’s Spanish Hills, the tract was subdivided in the 1980s, and the couple retained a two-acre lot.

An avid golfer for much of her life, Maulhardt was a charter member of the Las Posas Country Club and served on its original welcoming committee. She and her husband traveled throughout California and played all the major golf courses along the way.

The couple had no children.

She was preceded in death by her husband.

A memorial service was held Monday.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Charity League, c/o Treasurer Cathy Lundgren, 642 Crestview Ave., Camarillo, CA 93010 or the Heritage Fund, VCCF, 1317 Del Norte Road, No. 150, Camarillo, CA 93010.

Arrangements were under the direction of the James A. Reardon Mortuary in Oxnard.