Blanca Gabriella Alfonso

With sorrowful hearts we share that, on January 9, 2023, Blanca Gabriella (“Gabi”) Alfonso passed away in Orlando, Florida. Gabi was born on December 12, 1971, to Roberto and Blanche Alfonso, grew up in Kissimmee, Florida, and was a proud graduate of Osceola High School (Go, Kowboys!). While still in high school, her love of the water led her to work as a lifeguard and her love of animals, especially dolphins, made her consider becoming a dolphin trainer for Sea World. Ultimately, however, her heart led her to follow in her father’s footsteps, and pursue a career in the food and beverage industry. One could say she got her start at the tender age of 12, when her parents opened a Cuban-Italian restaurant in the tourist ‘strip’ of Hwy. 192, near Walt Disney World. Although she was too young to wait tables, she became an expert hostess and busser, and even pitched in whenever a dishwasher failed to show up for work. She sold real estate for a few years before returning to the “food biz,” working at - and managing - several popular local restaurants. Feeding people was a big part of her personal life, as well. Gabi enjoyed entertaining, and expressed her love for her friends and family through her cooking. Gatherings at her home always included generous helpings of sweet and savory dishes, presented and arranged so that they were as beautiful to look at as they were delicious to eat. Her creativity came through beyond the kitchen, as well. Gabi was forever crafting and creating beautiful objects, first with her children and then with her grandchildren. Any holiday, event, or occasion meant Gabi would be making something gorgeous to commemorate it. Gabi relished being a mom, having given birth to twin daughters just after her twenty-second birthday, and a son just over a year later. This no doubt contributed to her being a youthful grandmother, lovingly called “Nonna,” who adored playing with her grandchildren – assuming they could keep up with her! Gabi lost her beloved father, Roberto, in 2006. She is survived by her children, Rikki (Jared) Byrge, Ryley Howard, and Rhett Howard; her mother, Blanche; her grandchildren, Levi, Brooklyn, Alaina, Jozie, and Jameson; her sisters, Roberta (Tom) Malone, Katya Smith, and Emily (Brooks) Toran; and their children, who all love and miss their Tía Gabi. A gathering to reminisce and honor Gabi’s life will take place at Osceola Memory Gardens, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744, on Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to join in the celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Gabi’s name to the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children or your favorite charity.

Blanca Gabriella Alfonso

December 12, 1971 - January 9, 2023