CANTELLA

VALERIE JEAN

Val, age 79, of Allison Park, passed peacefully on July 26, 2025. She was born in Newark, New Jersey the daughter of the late Vincent and Stella Vaselli. She served in the US Army before earning a Master's Degree in Education from Murray State University in Kentucky. Val taught math and science for 33 years in elementary schools in San Antonio, Texas where she fostered many classroom guinea pigs and hamsters every summer.

Val is survived by her beloved husband of 44 years, Richard Cantella, and her step-daughter Christine Cantella (Jo). She is survived by her Cantella family, brother in laws Carl (late Eileen), Mike (Brenda), sister-in laws Mary Ann and Diane and many nieces and nephews. She is the sister of the late John Vasselli, Janice Sileo (John), and aunt of John and Christopher Sileo all of Mountainside, NJ.

Val loved to travel and visited Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Jamaica, Aruba, the Cayman Islands and many other destinations. She was an avid reader and lover of cats. After retirement, she volunteered at an animal shelter in San Antonio for several years in the kitten room where she found and adopted her own babies, Moses and Callie! Though not a native Pittsburgher, Val LOVED the Pittsburgh Steelers and was looking forward to a new season. She was a participant in the Sunday School program at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Allison Park.

A celebration of her life will be scheduled at a later date. If desired, donations may be made in Val's name to: The Alzheimer's Association - Pittsburgh Office, 2835 E. Carson St., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.

Arrangements handled by LAWRENCE T. MILLER FUNERAL HOME, INC., www.ltmillerfuneralhome.com.