After a protracted battle with pancreatic cancer, Rosanna Cafaro died on November 29, 2019 in Dade City, FL at the age of 65. Rosanna was born on December 13, 1953 in St. Petersburg, FL to father Anthony and mother Mary Cafaro.
Rosanna was a lifelong animal lover. At a young age, after receiving a horse as a gift from her parents, she found great fulfillment as an equestrian. In 1987 she relocated to Dade City and established Rosanna’s Paint Farm. She quickly adapted to life in the country raising and rescuing various animals. Rosanna went to school for both equine artificial insemination and race horse tattooing, making her well known and respected in the equine community. As her business grew, she offered horse riding lessons, boarding, and breeding. She regularly rode, trained, and showed horses, earning hundreds of trophies and ribbons. Rosanna was also an active volunteer for both the Hillsborough and Pasco Counties Mounted Sheriff Posse for many years. Although horses are what most people know her for, she also held several other passions. Rosanna thoroughly enjoyed cooking, baking, and entertaining; no one went hungry around her. She was gifted in growing plants, an avid movie goer, and an incredible dancer. When Rosanna was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, after having beaten Hodgkins cancer in her 20s, she remained dedicated in her work and in her will to fight her illness. She remained a brave, iron-willed woman, even throughout her final months. Her spirit, passion, and strength are unmatched.
She is survived by her husband George Moreno of 11 years, daughter Rosanna (Justin) Mieles, two grandchildren Chloe and Connor Mieles, her mother Mary Cafaro, brother Dennis (Susan) Cafaro, sister Linda (Ansley) Bennett, sister-by-choice Linda Lindquist, 3 nephews, and numerous friends. Preceded in death by her father, Anthony Cafaro and late husband Steven Stockwell.
In honoring her wishes, a private service for the immediate family will be held. We ask all that wish to celebrate Rosanna’s life to do so by donating to Bakas Equestrian Center: Horses for Handicapped (www.bakasequestriancenter.com) in her name.
A special thank you to lifelong friend Linda Lindquist, and Debbie Knickerbocker friend of 30+years, for their unwavering support during Rosanna’s battle against cancer. Our family would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown to us during the loss of our loved one.
