A family in tragedy, RoseAnne Cantasano, Port Charlotte fire

We are mourning the horrific loss of RoseAnne Cantasano, who was killed when her home caught fire, just 5 days before her 71st birthday.

RoseAnne was a sweet woman with a big heart, known for opening her home to those in need, and trying to live the Christian ideals of helping one another, and never shying away from the most vulnerable of society, from her life's work of being an EMT, to taking in those in need and giving them food, shelter and rides to work in the later parts of her life.

She is survived by her beloved Frank, who is now homeless, as the house is totally destroyed. Having found each other late in life, they were not legally married, so not only is it unknown if insurance will cover the loss of the house at all, it is unlikely that they would cover interim housing for Frank, as he is not on the deed.

Frank is currently in the hospital, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. By accounts, he got out, then tried to go back in to save RoseAnne. He is currently under observation and sedation, as, when awake, he is hysterical and still wants to look for her.

She is also survived by one daughter, Lauren, having tragically and unexpectedly lost her younger daughter, Lisa-Marie, only 21 months ago. And by her grandchildren, 4 of whom were Lisa-Marie’s, and who are currently in 4 different foster homes as Lauren tries to gain custody of them from out of state.

As can be imagined, Lauren is overwhelmed. The loss of her mother on top of the loss of her sister, faced with the complexities of sorting out insurance (with no paperwork, all of it having been destroyed in the fire), the destroyed house – owners are responsible for clean-up, whether insurance covers it or not and that job is hers now, funeral arrangements, housing for Frank, even trying to find Lisa-Marie’s cat, Misty, who was adopted by RoseAnne and Frank and it is unknown if she escaped (it would be a great comfort to Frank if she survived and was found), on top of the months-long process to get guardianship of the kids, which has involved great sums, attorneys, even moving Lauren’s NY farm to provide better housing.

Besides the emotional blows and stress, right now Lauren is also financially strapped, having just made 2 trips down to Florida to bring the kids for a Christmas vacation to her farm – the first time they’d spent more than a few hours together in 11 months.

She’s trying to find farm help so that she can get back to Florida, make funeral arrangements, make the arrangements to bring her mother’s remains back to the family plot in NY as per RoseAnne’s wishes, find somewhere for Frank (and hopefully Misty) to live and to deal with the ruined house. Right now we don’t know how long, or how many trips it will take. Any help you can give is appreciated.