Obituary of Lisa Serene Zentner

***Due to the icy road conditions the family will receive friends between 11:00 am and 12:15pm.***

Lisa Serene Zentner, age 64, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of West Hartford, CT, died Friday, December 24, 2021 at her home.

Lisa was born May 10, 1957 in New York City, NY - daughter of Arnold S. Zentner and the late Margaret (Santomauro) Zentner.  She grew up in New York City and in West Hartford, CT where her family moved when she was 13 years old. Her love of animals and especially horses began at an early age. She was always bringing home stray dogs as a child and convincing her parents to adopt them, and was a dog owner throughout her life (mostly of strays or rescues).  Lisa began riding horses around the age of 8, and fell instantly in love with them. This eventually led to a lifelong passion and career in the care and management of racehorses.  In 1983, Lisa moved to Ocala (Marion County) Florida - known as the Horse Race Capital of the World: home to nearly 1000 horse farms and host to year-round equine events and competitions. It was in this environment in Ocala that Lisa thrived for most of her adult life as a successful and well-loved racehorse trainer, caretaker, and owner.  She considered herself incredibly lucky to be able to spend her life dedicated to the care, training, safety, health, and well-being of these horses.  

Lisa also loved her family’s home on Candlewood Lake in Brookfield CT, where she spent summers as a child and where she loved spending time whenever she came back to the northeast for family visits.      

In addition to her father Arnold Zentner, Lisa is survived by her siblings: Rena Santomauro of New York City, Dr. Gregory Zentner of Marston Mills, MA, and Russell Zentner and his wife Kathy of Fairfield; her nephews Ryan, Kevin, and Sean Zentner; and her longtime, dear friend Daniel Freeman of Ocala, FL.

Lisa’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 10:00am to 12 noon.  Burial will immediately follow the visiting hours (and is open to all), at Central Cemetery (490 Federal Road) in Brookfield.  Following the burial, all are welcome to join the family at the family home in Brookfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lisa’s memory can be made to the Humane Society of Marion County:  http://thehsmc.org/donate/