Obituary of Tara Knauff

Tara L. (Howard) Knauff of Cazenovia left this world on October 14th because cancer has no respect for how much someone is loved by family, friends and colleagues, nor how many lives have been made better by her association, and certainly not that many of the unwanted and unloved creatures of this world found a loving home and heart to care for them in her. In the end the disease won, but the fight was epic. Diagnosed over four years ago with only a few weeks to live, Tara continually amazed her beloved team at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, bouncing from surgery to chemotherapy and back, and always with a smile and with the words: "Bring it!". In those four years she lived a full life; still working as an editor/producer/writer at ABC Radio News in Manhattan when able, riding her thoroughbred horse Lilly when she was fit enough, traveling the world and somehow finding time and nerve to love a man and marry him. Tara was preceded in death by both her father and mother, Merritt and Gwynne Howard of Remsen, NY, but is survived by her husband Bob, sister Deborah Howard, brother Merritt Howard, sister in law Lynne Howard, nieces Brianna Weeks, Damaris Weeks, and Laura Howard, and nephews Mick Howard and Devin Thomas. She is also survived by the hundreds of people who love her and whose lives will be diminished by her absence. Her friends are invited to join her family for a celebration of her life on Saturday, October 19th at the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia, NY from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Expect stories of her journeys in journalism, of horses and dogs, and of course, the things that made her uniquely Tara. Be prepared to smile, laugh, and cry. Because giving was such a fundamental part of her being, those who wish to commemorate her life with a gift are requested to forgo flowers and instead consider one of the three following worthy organizations that made life better for Tara: For cancer care and research, Sloan Kettering accepts donations on behalf of a loved one here: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/Tara_Knauff The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is the largest equine sanctuary in the world devoted to the rescue, retirement, rehabilitation and retraining of Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack: http://www.trfinc.org/Make-a-Gift-c9.html Canter connects retiring thoroughbred horses with adoptive homes or for purchase: http://www.canterusa.org/