Kathleen Mastandrea

Kathleen Fe Mastandrea, born March 17, 1969, in Newark, New Jersey, passed peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Kathleen is survived by her devoted husband, John Mastandrea; her beloved daughter, Andrea Giaimis, and Andrea’s husband, Nicholas Caravella; her brothers, Carl Kaminski and his wife Diane, and Edward Kaminski and his wife Silvana; and her cherished nieces and nephews, Jessica Lyzenga, Arianna and Marcello Kaminski, and Matthew Logan. She is reunited in peace with her son, Steven Scott McKenna; her daughter, Jewel Mastandrea; her mother, Fe W. Olsen; her father, Carl W. Kaminski; and her grandparents.

Kathleen lived a life shaped by perseverance, service, and an unwavering love for others—qualities that guided both her personal journey and her work in healthcare. As a Respiratory Care Practitioner and department supervisor, she brought compassion, integrity, and deep commitment to every patient she served, viewing her work not as a job, but as an extension of her care for people. She was especially proud of her time with Millennium Respiratory Services, where she felt aligned with a mission that truly put people first. Her accomplishments were fueled by the inspiration of her daughter, Andrea, her light through life’s darkest moments and a guiding force in her recovery, and by the steady faith of her husband, John, whose belief in her never wavered. Kathleen always acknowledged that her successes were made possible through the love and support of family, friends, and community.

As a mother, Kathleen worked tirelessly and sacrificed endlessly to build a beautiful life for her children—so they could dream bigger, live freer, and become who they were meant to be. That same fierce love defined how she showed up for everyone in her life. To many, she was not just a friend but a second mother, a guardian angel, and a safe place to land—the person you could call at any hour or in any situation, knowing she would answer. She listened without judgment, offered advice straight from the heart (whether you wanted it or not), and made sure the people she loved were okay, always ready to guide you back on course with honesty, humor, and compassion.

Goofy, joyful, and full of life, Kathleen was always the first to dance, sing, make a funny face, or turn an ordinary moment into laughter. A gifted artist and craft master, she created beauty through many mediums, breathing new life into everything she touched. Brilliant and endlessly resourceful, she was the glue of her family—the connector who showed up again and again, making sure no one was ever left behind. Helping others wasn’t something she did; it was who she was.

Her impact on the recovery community was profound. Just three weeks shy of 25 years clean, Kathleen was deeply involved in Narcotics Anonymous. She dedicated her life to supporting recovery both locally and nationally, helping countless people find their footing, strength, and hope. She offered guidance, shelter, and unwavering support without expectation, living by the belief that lifting others was her purpose. Service was her north star.

Kathleen faced her battle with cancer the same way she faced life—with grit, courage, and relentless strength. She fought fiercely, beat the odds again and again, and never stopped showing up for others, even in her hardest moments. She was a warrior in every sense of the word.

To her husband John, Kathleen left words she wanted remembered:

“Thank you, John. How incomplete this would be without mentioning you. I know I have not made the best choices, but I chose you—and that was one of my best decisions. My love, continue our journey.”

And to everyone she loved, Kathleen left this final message:Remember to dance in the rain.Stop to smell the roses.If you fall down, get back up.Your life is the way it is because of the choices you have made.If you want a different life, make different choices.Live in the here and now, because this too shall pass.Live, Love & Laugh.

Kathleen Fe Mastandrea is a guardian angel, a warrior, a sister, a mother, a wife, a friend, a goofball, and one of the most extraordinary humans many were lucky enough to love. The world is quieter without her—but infinitely better because she was here.

Celebration of Life

Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church. 915 N 5th St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360                                                                                                                       Saturday, January 31, 2026                                                                                                                                                                                           12:00–4:00 PM

Visitation                                                                                                                                                                                                                      12:00-1:00 PM: Visitation will offer time for quiet reflection, viewing of photos, and an opportunity to approach the altar and pay respects before the service.

Celebration of Life                                                                                                                                                                                                      1:00–2:00 PM: Service and time to share memories, stories, and love                                                                                                                          2:00–4:00 PM: Gathering with food and refreshments