Michele Cantarella

OBITUARY

Michele Cantarella, loving wife and mother, of Old Forge, died Monday, April 13, 2026, in Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, at the age of 61. Michele had a very short, yet courageous battle against breast cancer. Her loving husband is John Cantarella. The couple celebrated their 34th Wedding Anniversary on Feb. 14.

Raised in Dunmore, daughter of the late Michael and Margaret Benson Malinak, she was a graduate of Dunmore High School, Penn State University, and Marywood University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree. Michele was employed by the Riverside School District, where she worked in the districts administrative office. She took great pride in supporting the daily operations of the school and was an important part of the Riverside School community.

For those who knew her, she loved her family and friends the most. She was always excited to talk about her sons, Michael and A.J., who were her pride and joy. Michele loved to travel with her husband John, especially to their sons’ college football games and with their numerous friends to tropical resorts. Michele had a profound interest in gardening, interior design, and of course thrifting and estate sales; which she loved to do almost every weekend with her friends. Michele also had a strong love for animals, including her two cats Lily and Oliver, as well as her grand-puppy Benny.

Michele was most excited to become a grandmother for the first time this summer, as her son A.J. and daughter-in-law Nicole are expecting a baby girl.

Surviving in addition to her husband are her two sons, A.J. Cantarella (wife Nicole) of Pittston and Michael Cantarella of Dunmore; a brother, Mark Malinak (wife Vita) of Dunmore; a sister, Susan Danchak of Dunmore; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Greene (husband Richard) and Jean OKeefe; nieces and nephews, Erica Canevari (husband Russ) and their daughters Eva and Ila, Richard Greene (wife Emily) and their sons Nicholas and Andrew, Justina Malinak, Nadia Lucas (husband Allen) and their children Daniel and Maggie, Michael Danchak (wife Stephanie) and their daughter Avery, and Mark Danchak.

The funeral will be held Friday, April 17, at 10:30 AM from Ferri & Gillette Funeral Services, LLC, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 in St. Ann’s Basilica, 1250 St. Anns St., Scranton. Interment will be private.

Relatives and friends are invited to a public visitation on Friday at the funeral home from 8:00 to 10:30 AM. To leave an online condolence visit the funeral home website or Facebook page.

Michele Cantarella

April 13, 2026