Dr. Nancy Beck Florez-Estrada

Dr. Nancy Beck Flórez-Estrada, of Greensburg, PA passed peacefully on Monday, January 19. She was the daughter of the late Bernice Diehl & Clarence W. Beck, Esq. and was also preceded in death by her brother Clarence W. Beck Jr. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Jose Luis Flórez-Estrada; her children, Jaime Flórez-Estrada (daughter-in-law Claudia Visbal Flórez-Estrada) and Krista Flórez-Estrada Gallucci (son-in-law Nicolas Gallucci); two grandchildren, Benjamin Gallucci and William Gallucci; and cousins. The 32-year career of Nancy B. Flórez-Estrada PhD, associate professor of Spanish, was highlighted by a dedication to students and the broadening of their horizons through international study and travel. Dr. Flórez-Estrada started teaching at Pitt-Greensburg in 1982 as an instructor of Spanish and advanced to associate professor. In 2010, she was a key member of the team that developed Pitt-Greensburg’s then new Spanish major and contributed in the early planning stages of the Spanish curriculum for the Spanish Education major. She also had a key role in the establishment of Pitt-Greensburg’s Latin American Studies Certificate (LAS) program in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh Center for Latin American Studies and served as the Pitt-Greensburg Faculty Advisor since its inception in 2001. She was instrumental in the programming at the International Village. She served as advisor to the campus’ Spanish Club that, under her mentorship, regularly brought the Spanish and Latin American cultures to campus by hosting dinners, workshops, films, performances, and speakers. From 1999 to 2009, Dr. Flórez-Estrada served as director of the International Academic Village (IAV). Dr. Flórez-Estrada has been the recipient of numerous awards that recognize her expertise in teaching, as well as her dedication to working with students as the Spanish Club advisor, the International Club, and as Director of the International Academic Village. These include the 1989 Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award; the 2001 Pitt-Greensburg Professional Development award for faculty; the 2010 Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) Outstanding Faculty Award; the 2010 Pitt- Greensburg Service Award for faculty; and the 2002, 2009, and 2014 Advisor of the Year Award, given by Pitt-Greensburg’s Student Government Association. After her retirement, she was awarded emeritus status. Flórez-Estrada also taught at Carnegie Mellon University (1991-1992), Seton Hill University (1979-1982), and Purdue University (1967-1972). Additionally, she worked as a Spanish/ESL Instructor and Translator for General Foods Corp. in Madrid, Spain (1973-1978). She also taught summer courses in ESL at Saint Vincent College’s International Language Institute, Interstudy in Indiana, PA, and the Instituto de Idiomas Benton (Madrid, Spain). Dr. Flórez-Estrada earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Language and Literature with a minor in French Language and Literature from Grove City College. She went on to complete a Master’s of Arts degree in Spanish Language and Peninsular Literature at Michigan State University and participated in the University’s Overseas Study Program to Madrid Spain. A Fulbright Travel Grant and Spanish Government Grant allowed her to continue her graduate studies at the University of Complutense de Madrid. Estrada earned her PhD in Spanish Applied Linguistics and Methodology from the University of Pittsburgh. A memorial service will be held in University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, Campana Chapel on 217 North Campus Road, Greensburg, on Saturday, Jan 31, at 3:00 PM. For those wishing to make a donation, the family requests that donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at http://www.ocrf.org. William Snyder Funeral Home Inc., Irwin, 724-863-1200, is handling arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.

Dr. Nancy Beck Florez-Estrada

June 14, 1941 - January 19, 2015