Carla Nadia Casale Cardarelli, age 65, of Bear, DE formerly of San Donato, Italy, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 18th, 2026. Born in Sora Province of Frosinone, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Lucia (Pellegrini) and Gino Casale. She immigrated to the United States with her parents in 1964 and settled in Wilmington, DE. Carla graduated from Padua Academy in 1978 and worked at Riverside Hospital in administration.

Carla and her family regularly spent the summer months visiting family in their hometown of San Donato, and this is where Carla met the love of her life, Donato Cardarelli. Donato and Carla were married in 1983 in Wilmington, DE and spent some time living in Delaware before relocating back to Italy in 1989. The couple lived in Rome while Carla worked for the United Nations, eventually settling back in San Donato during their retirement. Following Donato's passing in 2013, Carla moved back to the United States to be with her family.

Carla was predeceased by her parents, Gino and Lucia Casale; and her husband of 30 years, Donato Cardarelli on October 7, 2013. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Cinzia and Daniel Tannen; her nephews, Dalton (Gabrielle), Ethan and Gavin; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family in the United States, Italy, Canada and Boston.

A visitation will be held on May 8, 2026 from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. with formal funeral services to begin at 11 A.M. at the Mealey Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Road Wilmington, DE 19808. Burial will be held at a later date in San Donato, Italy. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to American Cancer Society,P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 https://donate.cancer.org/Association or the American Lung Association, 630 Churchmans Rd Apt 202, Newark, DE 19702 https://www.lung.org/