Eleanor Allina Epstein
| Eleanor Allina Epstein | |
 picture from 1909 | |
| Biographical information | |
| Born: | June 12, 1889 in Bohemia |
|---|---|
| Died: | May 17, 1973 in St. Louis |
| Nationality: |  American
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| Occupation: | |
| Website: | |
Eleanor Allina Epstein (born Olga Allina) is the daughter of Edward and Rosa Allina.
Biography
Olga Eleanor was two years old when the family moved[1] from Bohemia to St Louis, USA. During childhood she was known as Ella and later became involved in the "B'nai-El Young People's Aid Society (B.E.Y.P.A.S.)", a charity organization formed for the purpose of aiding the B'nai-El Congregation with the new B'nai-El Temple. The society arranged several annual programs such as: euchre and hop, outing, show dance, Thanksgiving ball and on. In the fall of 1908, she was appointed[2] Finance Secretary in the society.
On April 14, 1909, B.E.Y.P.A.S. did put up[3] the romantic musical comedy "Mary the Widow" by Arnold Loewenstein. Benjamin B. Gross played the part of Stanley Raymond, and Ella was part of the supporting chorus of thirty voices.
Ella and Benjamin married and their son, Leon Harrison was born in on April 28, 1911. He was named after his godfather, Rabbi Dr. Leon Harrison (1860-1928). Ella and Benjamin divorced and in 1913 she married Albert Falk Epstein and their son Leslie was born in 1915.
Behind the scenes
Eleanor Allina's name[footnotes 1] has been used for several characters in the Mandrake strips:
- Alina, Queen of Atalan.
- Lenore, Mandrake's sister.
- Aleena, Mandrake's girlfriend at the College of Magic.
- Eleanora, Mandrake's mother.
Note
- ↑ Lee Falk had a stepsister, Ailine (also written Aileen and Arleen), which may have been inspiration for the names Alina and Aleena.