Shannon Michelle Horne

Obituary

Shannon Michelle Horne, age 54, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026 at her home in Tampa, FL, where she was surrounded by family and close friends. She was born May 3, 1971 in Tampa, FL, to the late Ted Benny and Diana McGruder-Horne.

Shannon was preceded in death by her father, Ted Horne; paternal grandparents, Edd and Lyla Horne, maternal grandparents, Oliver and Prescilla McGruder; and many other loving family members and friends.

She was a 1989 graduate of Hillsborough High School and has maintained close relationships with many of her graduating class, including her life-long best friend, Susan Heyder-Macwilliam.

Shannon is survived by her partner of over 20 years, Ray Burke; mother, Diana Horne; brother, Alex Horne (Mindy); bonus sons, Noe Perales and Aaron Burke; sister in law, Angie Kmiec (Mark); nieces, Shana Wadyka, Lilly Horne and Kyla Mendiola; great-niece, Everleigh Gray-Wadyka; aunts, Patricia O’Connor and Nadine Cuyler. She also leaves behind her lil’ dog, Pixie, and many special cousins, friends and extended family members.

Shannon fought cancer with a vengeance and lived every single moment of her life like it was her last, even on her tough days. The resilience she displayed is admirable, she took nothing in life for granted. If there’s one piece of advice she’d want to leave everyone, it would be to worry less, live life to the fullest, maintain a positive mindset and NEVER GIVE UP!

She was the light of so many lives and will forever be missed by anyone who knew and loved her.
She’s been promoted from a shining star here on Earth to a beautiful angel in Heaven.

“Goodbyes are not forever, and not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again”