Marta Cantella

It is with great sorrow that the Cantella family shares the news of the passing of our kind, brave, caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, sister in law and dear friend, Marta Antonia (Mazreku) Cantella.  Born in Albania on Feb 14, 1936, She and her family left Albania at a young age with her family and took a heroic journey from Albania to Italy and finally to America. Arriving in America was a dream come true. She was so grateful to be on safe soil that she promised to always fly an American flag in her yard. To this day it is still in her front yard.  In the past few weeks, it had become tattered and torn.  To surprise her sons replaced her tattered flag even though her failing eyesight kept her from seeing it. She is survived by her dear sister, Maria Sweetser, and brother Dino Mazreku (Pegg); her sons; grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Michael Cantella, who left this world on March 26, 2008. They were Married October 16, 1967.

Marta was extremely dedicated to her children, Charles Neil, and Michael Alan. Family was always the most important thing to Marta especially her grandchildren: Colin, Anna, Joe and Josh, who lovingly called her Nonni. She spent many afternoons  sharing stories, reading to them, teaching them words in Italian, and making memories that all will cherish. Many of her family can still feel her warmth in wearing the items she sewed as a talented seamstress and the knitting items she made by hand. She shared her talents in many ways including sewing altar linens and  priest vestments for the Church, as well as blankets, sweaters, scarfs, and "scrubbies" she made for friends.

Even as her eyesight failed, she enjoyed reliving stories of the past when family and friends were around. In addition to reminiscing with friends and family, she also loved listening to the books on tape that she was able to get from the Library of Accessible media.
 
She was a devoted member of St. Kilian’s Catholic Church and the Mars community. She valued her time with special friends and family members who provided comfort, laughter and sometimes a little wine.

Marta passed peacefully in her sleep on February 26th, 2024, 12 days after her 88th birthday.

As per her wishes, there will be a Mass at St. Kilian’s Catholic Church on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 10:30 AM. 

Family and friends are invited to pay their last respects following Mass from 12 PM to 2 PM  at the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral home in Mars, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Marta’s name to Library of Accessible Media so that others through her legacy may continue to enjoy the tapes as  much as she did. To donate, please go to www.MyLamp.org.

Arrangements were entrusted to the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc.. Condolences and directions are available at www.McDonald-Aeberli.com.