Rose Ann Cantola

Rose Ann Cantola, 89, of Niles, died Monday, April 15, 2019, at Trumbull Regional Medical Center in Warren, Ohio.

Rose lived her life with a great love for her faith, her family, and her friends. Every joy was increased, and every sorrow lessened when she shared them with the people she loved. Her’s was a life well lived.

Born in Dilltown, Pa. on April 5, 1930, Rose was the daughter of Camille and Bertha Bucci DeFalco. After graduating from high school in Avonmore, Pa. in 1948, Rose went on to study and gain her cosmetology license in Cumberland, Md. and then opened up her own beauty shops in Avonmore and Saltsburg, Pa.

While living in Pa., Rose met the love of her life, Albert J. Cantola. They were married on Sept. 15, 1951, and lived in Pa. until moving to Niles, Ohio in 1964. They shared 60 wonderful years together until Albert’s death on Sept. 30, 2011.

Rose was employed at Stambaugh-Thompsons and Handyman Hardware in McKinley Heights where for 35 years she enjoyed working as a cashier and being around people.

She was a faithful member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Niles for over 50 years, where she loved volunteering at the church festivals and was a member of the Blessed Mother Society. Rose loved playing cards and bingo, watching horse races and all types of sports (especially the Pittsburgh teams), and going out with family and friends.

Rose will always be remembered and cherished by her family: son Albert J. Cantola Jr. and his wife Aimee; daughter Diane Kleese and her husband Edward; and son-in-law Dayne Thomas, who are all of Niles; brother Joseph Montali III of Avonmore, Pa.; and grandchildren Thomas Cantola, Larissa Neiss, Rae Cantola, Dana Thomas, Eddie Kleese and his wife Mara, Andrea Tekac and her husband Zac, Angela Anderson and her husband Adam, Alysia DeVries and her husband Nate, and Amanda Skocik and her husband Mike, as well as nine great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Albert, Rose was preceded in death by daughter Donna Thomas and five siblings.

Rose touched many lives; most especially those of her family, to whom she left these words, “God has given me a wonderful life…and I pray that He will do the same for all of you.”

Friends may call Monday, April 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles where prayer services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Niles with the Rev. Monsignor John Zuraw presiding. Before the Mass, there will be a 9:30 a.m. prayer service at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Niles City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Thong Truong, Dr. Fadi Naddour, Dr. Dina Hanna, Dr. George Andrews, and the excellent staff of doctors and nurses at Trumbull Regional Hospital’s ICU for their kindness and compassion in their care of Rose.

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