Brittmarie Provenzano

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.
—Maya Angelou

Legacy

Brittmarie Provenzano, beloved mother to 4 children, age 89, of San Anselmo California, passed away peacefully in her home on July 14th, 2023, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

She was born in the parish of Sundbyberg, Sweden on April 9, 1934 to Lilly and Thure Paulsson. She was the middle child between her younger brother Thomas and older sister Solweig. She was always proud of her Swedish heritage and loved spending time in her family's red cottage in the countryside. She developed an early interest in theater and attended the Children's Theater School of Stockholm in 1944 at the age of 10. She continued her theater studies all through highschool and into college where she also served as Student President in 1956-57. She also found time to pursue studies in psychology, law on social rights, and even studied to become a probation officer. She somehow found time to work at a variety of jobs including clothing factory worker, taxi cab dispatcher, cemetery caretaker, freelance correspondent for the Gefle Dagblad newspaper, substitute teacher for elementary schools, and Assistant Marketing Director of the industrial magazine; FACKPRESS FORLAGET AB. She was very active in her community as a member of the Söderfors Youth Committee, as leader of the local Teenager Theater Group, as the President of the PTA at the Söderfors Bruksskolan vocational school, and as a member of the Child Welfare Board of Söderfors in 1967.

By the end of her first marriage, Brittmarie had welcomed 3 children into her world. But then true love brought her to the United States in 1969. She traveled half way around the world with her 3 children, a dog, and a parrot to marry Joseph Provenzano and settled in Pinole, CA in 1970 to raise their new family. She continued pursuing her interest in child education by assisting at the Silvercreek Nursery School and later at the kindergarten class at Ellerhorst Elementary school in Pinole. She also welcomed her 4th child into the family. All the while she continued studying, and earning degrees in Child Psychology at Sonoma State University.

Brittmarie’s love of children extended beyond her own family by way of the Santa Barbara Sunshine Montessori School which she founded in the 80s. It was her calling. She later served as a Court Advocate for abused children and impacted the lives of so many children who knew her simply as “Miss Britt”.

In 1988, Brittmarie and her family moved to San Anselmo CA to her beloved home fondly referred to as "Valhalla." She continued her mission to help children by founding her 2nd Montessori Preschool to address the needs of underserved children in the Canal District in San Rafael. She was a proud and active member of the Swedish Women's Educational Association (SWEA). Every December she held an annual early morning St. Lucia celebration for SWEA members in her home. Beginning in 1996, she eventually became a Grandmother to 5 grandchildren. She loved to entertain her family and her many friends, whom she loved dearly. She found peace among the hills and trees of Marin. It was here that she was truly happy and fulfilled.

Brittmarie was a devoted Mother to Martina, Joachim, Niclas, and Johanna. She was her children's biggest cheerleader and always encouraged each to follow their pathway to creativity. She was Mother In Law to Keith, Carolyn and Dianne. She was “Farmor” to Nicolas, Elle and Quinn and “Mormor” to Gemma and Perrin; her beloved grandchildren. She was also a dog lover and provided a wonderful home to over a dozen dogs in her lifetime, as well as several birds.

Brittmarie was the heart of her family, and they felt that in the love and support she provided. She had a special way of making common events magical. Brittmarie brought her Swedish traditions to all her family events—many of which will live on with her children and grandchildren. 

Brittmarie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe in 2011, and is survived by her children, their spouses and grandchildren, who will never forget the love she brought to their lives.

To our family and friends, please know that the video on this page only covers small moments of time and it wasn't possible to include everyone that meant so much to Brittmarie and the family. There are so many that aren't represented, but who meant so very much to her and who enriched her life in so many ways. Please visit the Gallery page and upload any photos you might want to include on this page. We would love to see them! And if you are so inclined, please leave a note on the Memory Wall. Thank you all for being part of Brittmarie's legacy.

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