Yvonne Boice-Zucaro, a Boca Raton-based businesswoman and philanthropist, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Jan. 13 at the age of 85. She will be sorely missed by those who loved her, the countless organizations she served and the people she transformed through her mentorship and support.
Born on Sept. 6, 1937 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Yvonne graduated from New York University with a BS degree in Marketing. After marrying Real Estate Executive Grant Boice, the couple moved to Boca Raton in 1983. Her avid skills enabled her to successfully run two enterprises: Shoppes in Village Point (which she developed after the sudden death of her husband) and Fugazy International Travel, her passion project.
Yvonne’s entrepreneurial achievement paved the way for her in the philanthropic arena, positioning her as a guiding force for charities and an inspiring advocate for businesswomen, both here and abroad. Her encouraging advice and mentoring activities at Palm Beach State College, Lynn University and Northwood College caught the eye of the U.S. government, who selected Yvonne to represent the country at four high-profile women’s international business conferences. She was also chosen as one of six delegates to the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Women’s Conference held in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., by the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and was appointed the World Summit of Women in Berlin and in Hanoi by the Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs. Yvonne also traveled to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to encourage indigenous women to start their own business and take political action.
The arts and education held a high place in Yvonne’s heart. She produced the galas for the Palm Beach International Film Festival, was an appointee to the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission and was a major contributor to the creation of the Center for the Arts in Boca Raton. She served on the Palm Beach State College Foundation Board and chaired the college’s STEAM scholarship events. Her dedication to Lynn University went from supporting international students with scholarships to developing the iconic Circle of Flags at the entrance of the university. Yvonne strongly believed that experiencing other cultures was essential for personal growth and should be an essential part of education.
In her own words, “‘A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle,’ James Keller. This quote is one of my favorites. I strongly believe we must teach, inspire, and guide every day. Make giving part of who you are, and you will influence countless lives.”
She is survived by Al Zucaro, an attorney and founder of the Palm Beach World Trade Center, whom she married in 2009 and her daughter Lauren, a practicing attorney in Boston.
Services will be held at Glick Family Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 20 from 4:00-9:00 p.m., with a special prayer service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Boice-Zucaro International Programs and Services at Lynn University or the STEAM Scholarship Program at Palm Beach State College.
