Beth Ann Provancha

PROVANCHA, BETH ANN of Winter Park died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, January 22nd. Beth was born in Utica, New York but lived most of her life in Maitland and Winter Park, Florida. She attended Winter Park High School and graduated from the University of Tennessee. She received her Master's Degree from Rollins College and her Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Florida. Beth was a well- known educator in the Orange County Public School System, having spent thirty-four years there as a teacher, dean, guidance counselor, principal, senior director, and most recently, as Senior Executive Director of Human Resources. She was a member of numerous professional affiliations, including Phi Delta Kappa, ASCD, FAASP, NAASP, National Middle School Association, Orange County Middle School Association, Orange County Middle School's Principal Association, Orange County Association of Secondary School Administrators and the PJA. Some of Beth's proudest accomplishments include receiving the National School of Excellence Award from the White House, being named as Outstanding Young Educator in 1980, Outstanding Junior High School Educator in 1986 and receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award in 1989 from the Florida Commissioner of Education. Beth was an innovator in the educational field, as evidenced by her selection to participate in the Florida DOE Symposium on Innovative Practices, by the selection of Glenridge Junior High School as an Apple Distinguished School when she was Principal there, by the designation of Corner Lake Middle School as a Sprint Technology Showcase School when she was the Principal there, and by her participation in the University of Central Florida's UCF/Business Partnerships. Beth was also community and civic oriented, serving on numerous Boards and agencies. She was a member of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (1990-1997) and the Winter Park Police Department Citizen's Review Board. Beth is preceded in death by her father, U.S. Army Major Stanley F. Kozlowski. She was a devoted and loving wife, daughter, sister, friend and mentor to all who knew her. Beth is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Terry, devoted mother Antoinette J. Kozlowski, her sisters Sharon and husband St. Paul Bourgeois of Lafayette, Louisiana, Kim and husband Richard Walker of Tampa, Florida, father-in-law Colonel George Provancha and wife Jean, brother-in-law Mike Provancha of New Smyrna, Florida, brother-in-law Mark Provancha and wife Jane of Cocoa, Florida, and sister-in-law Patricia and husband Floyd Lathing- house of Shalimar, Florida. Beth also leaves behind her beloved cousins in Utica, New York, 11 nieces and nephews, and her loving dog, Su-Ling. A funeral Mass will be 10:30AM on Friday, January 28, 2005 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Winter Park, FL to celebrate Beth's love of life. Visitation will be 5-7PM on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at BALDWIN-FAIRCHILD FUNERAL HOME ALTAMONTE CHAPEL, 994 E. Altamonte Dr., Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Beth Provancha Memorial Fund, C/O Educational Leadership Center, 445 West Amelia Street, Orlando, FL 32801.