Anna Maria Cantarella

Anna Maria Cantarella, 83, passed on the morning of June 10, 2023, at her home in North Potomac, MD, surrounded by her family. Anna was born August 6, 1939, in Asmara, Eritrea. She is the daughter of the late Maria Carla Barzotti and Giovanni Scianca. She is also preceded in death by her brother Giovanni Scianca, Jr.

Anna and Paolo would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this year. They met in elementary school in Eritrea, and then re-connected after WWII in Rome, Italy. They married October 5, 1963, and have had an abundance of love and memories through the decades.

Anna and Paolo lived in many places, and traveled the world. Their adventures took them to Australia, Egypt, China, Japan, Argentina, Brazil and Africa. She loved cooking, learning new cuisines, and entertaining friends at home. She loved watching shows and movies, and listening to both Italian and English music.

Their journey began in Rome, Italy, where Francesca was born in 1966. They then moved to Seattle, Washington, where Claudia was born in 1969. After a brief time in the USA, they moved to The Netherlands, where Sergio was born in 1975. No matter where they lived, the family always returned to Italy every summer to visit.

Anna was the true matriarch of the family. She volunteered her time at each child's school, taking them to activities, and getting to know all their friends on a personal level. She was loved by all. As the grandkids came along, Anna always shared her love especially through Sunday family dinners.Anna is survived by husband Gian Paolo Cantarella; daughter Francesca Cantarella and her husband Alexander Dickey; daughter Claudia Saddler and her husband David Saddler; son Sergio Cantarella and his husband Elwin Jones, III. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Gabriella Clark and her fiance Gregory Friedman, Alessandra Clark, Brandon Saddler and his wife Caitlyn, Joseph Clark, and Kyle Saddler. She is also survived by 1 great-grandchild, Witten Saddler.

Anna will be remembered for her kind heart, open arms and beautiful smile, to anyone she met. She is now watching over all of us, our angel.

Friends may call Our Lady of Visitation, 14139 Seneca Road, Darnestown, MD 20874 on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 9:00AM to 10:00AM, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00AM. Inurnment will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD.