Gloria Boyden Koczwanski

Gloria Boyden Koczwanski, of Ocala, FL, passed away in her home with her loving family around her on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at the age of 101. She was born in New York, New York, on May 2, 1921. Gloria was predeceased by her parents Oscar Boyden and Christina Mikanek Boyden, spouse Severn (Steve) Koczwanski, and sister Grace Siani.

Surviving are daughters Linda S. Hodgkins (Martin), Brevard, NC; and Lois J. Schwing (Bernard), Ocala, FL; grandson Bernard Schwing, Jr. (Amanda), Apex, NC; and granddaughter Lisa Blackburn, Ocala, FL; great-granddaughter Bailey Blackburn (Ocala); great-grandsons Grayson Schwing and Graham Schwing (Apex); and nephews Jim Siani, Ron Siani, and Jerry Siani

In 1972, she was a proud member of the first graduating class of Palm Beach Atlantic College (PBAC), West Palm Beach, FL. She then received a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Boca Raton, FL, and pursued coursework towards a doctorate from FAU. She and a team of fellow students performed some of the first useful research for the year-round school concept in Florida.

“Mrs. Kay” lived a long and varied life: student at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY; drafting specifications for airplane parts during WWII for the U.S. Army Air Force at the Grumman Aircraft Engineering factory, Bethpage, Long Island; home maker and mother to her two daughters; kindergarten director and teacher at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Palm Beach; elementary education teacher at Palmview Elementary, West Palm Beach; Director of the PBAC Workship Program; and Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at PBAC. Mrs. Kay finally retired at age 80, after serving as an Adjunct Professor for several years at PBAC. Her retirement included residences at Jupiter, FL; Brevard, NC; and Ocala, FL.

Mrs. Kay’s excellence in teaching was recognized by the award as PBAC’s Teacher of the Year in 1991. She helped mold a generation of well-prepared and enthusiastic elementary school teachers, many of whom would return and seek guidance after graduation.

Gloria loved teaching in and out of the classroom. She was very much loved and touched everyone she came in contact with. She has accomplished many things in her life and has seen the world change! In the seven years that Gloria lived with the Schwings in Ocala, she was close to family, which was a blessing to her. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, West Palm Beach, on Wednesday November 30, 2022 from 11:00am to 12:00pm.