COOPER CITY, Fla. Miya Marcano’s family was joined by thousands of people Thursday to say a final farewell to the Valencia College student. The 19-year-old’s funeral service was held in Cooper City. South Florida is where she was from.
Through the tears of grief, Marcano’s family kept a focus on the good times. “I remember the time when we were small and we were playing barbershop and I cut off your two pigtails,” Marcano’s cousin D’Mani Scarbriel said. Cooper City Church of God confirmed more than 2,000 people attended the service. Most of them traveled from cities across the U.S. and Marcano’s parents’ homelands, Trinidad and the British Virgin Islands. “I always pictured your face all over billboards and stores as a super model; I never thought you would get your recognition this way,” Marcano’s uncle Marvin Marcano said.
Performances by Caribbean/Soca musical artists Lyrikal and Skinny Fabulous paid tribute to Marcano who was their biggest fan. Marcano’s cousin Caili Sue delivered the eulogy and described how the 19-year-old’s vibrant life was just beginning. “Miya excelled in everything she set her mind to,” Sue said. “From going on
.to win numerous pageants, cheerleading events and junior queen of the band for several years.” Marcano’s casket was covered with photos of her and painted with royal blue which was her favorite color. A crown sat on top of the casket as family members carried their princess to her final resting place at Bailey Memorial Gardens. The man suspected of killing Marcano, 27-year-old Armando Caballero, worked at Arden Villas Apartments in Orlando which is where she lived and worked. Caballero was found dead by an apparent suicide in the days after Marcano’s disappearance. “She was always a loving, kind-hearted person,” Marcano’s grandmother Violet Delville said. “She always wanted to help just like how her foundation is going to do the same.” The Miya Marcano Memorial Foundation will aim to raise awareness and help families that are impacted by missing person cases.
