On September 16, 2019, Samantha Marie Pritchard Calzone passed away doing what she loved most in this life: riding horses.
Samantha was born in Redding, Connecticut, where her passion for horses bloomed throughout elementary and middle school. She began riding at age 9 and quickly rose as a top competitor, winning blue ribbons in show jumping all along the East Coast. Samantha then moved to East Islip, New York where she graduated from East Islip High School with honors.
In 2014, Samantha was accepted into the Animal Science program at University of Connecticut and, of course, joined their equestrian team. She was elected and served as Captain for two years and was adored as a kind, talented mentor for her teammates. Samantha also volunteered two of her spring breaks in Mississippi and Florida, where she helped with hurricane relief projects. Samantha graduated magna cum laude from UConn in June 2018.
Ever chasing her passion, Samantha then enrolled at Hartpury University in England to complete her Masters Degree in Equine Science with a focus on rehabilitation. She had just returned stateside in July of 2019 and was happy to be reunited with her family and boyfriend Michael. Samantha was quickly hired by Takoda Farm and it was there, pursuing her passion, that a horse reared and fell on top of her. She did not suffer.
Samantha is deeply loved and greatly missed by her mother Ruthann Pritchard, father Peter Calzone, older sister Brittany Calzone, grandparents Jean and Rocco Calzone, family members James Holodak, Jr. and Kathy Palmer, boyfriend Michael Iranpour, countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and wonderful friends.
Services will be held from 3 p.m. to 7:00pm on Saturday, September 21 and from 10:00am to 1:00pm on Sunday, September 22 at the Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home on 2900 Summer Street in Stamford, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the EQUUS Foundation. Please indicate that the donation is being made in Samantha Calzone’s memory as a memorial award is being created in her honor.