Michelle Perea

1979 - 2022

SHICKSHINNY — Michelle Lynn Perea, 42, of Hunlock Harveyville Road, Shickshinny, and formerly Edwardsville, declared war on cancer on April 13, 2010. On Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, our warrior laid down her sword.

Born Dec. 21, 1979, in Albuquerque, N.M., she was the daughter of Shirley Holden Perea. She was raised in New Mexico, moving to Northeastern Pennsylvania in 1993. She resided in Shickshinny (McKendree), and later in Edwardsville for 18 years. Michelle graduated third in her class from Northwest Area High School, Class of 1997. She attended Penn State-Lehman campus and transferred to Kings College, graduating cum laude in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

She was employed as an accountant with Parente Beard, now Baker Tilly, Wilkes-Barre, until her health no longer permitted. Although the following 12 years presented challenges nobody should have to endure, she rarely complained, answered to no one, and lived life on her own terms.

Michelle's love of cheerleading spanned from high school where she served as captain of her JV squad, continuing to cheer at Penn State, and concluding with her time volunteering as an assistant coach for the Dallas Junior Mounts from 2016-17, and briefly 2018. Along with friend and coach Jill Ferretti, she helped lead her squads to competitive victory, winning at least one division in each competition, and in her last competition taking home four first place trophies.

She was fun, adventurous, and kind, with a special love for her family, her friends, her beloved dogs, '80s and '90s music, muscle cars including her Camaro, and visiting National Parks across the country in her RV. She loved to sing, never turning down a karaoke opportunity to belt "I Will Survive," doing it justice every time. She called the shots her entire life, and her character was an inspiration to those fortunate enough to have been touched by her heart. No matter what she was going through, she always brightened every room with her beautiful smile.

Michelle was an active member and volunteered with several organizations, including: Candy's Place, Camp Bravehearts, and NEPA Cars and Coffee.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the nurses and doctors at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Henry Cancer Center for their care and compassion.

She will be sadly missed by her mother, Shirley, with whom she last resided; a brother, Robert Lent Jr. and his wife Christine, in Ocean Pines, Md.; nephew Robert Lent III and his husband Daniel, of Shickshinny; her dogs Spaz, Tequila, Luna and Nina; along with many friends, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom Michelle adored as they adored her.

The family plans to have a Celebration of Life, the details of which will be announced.

Arrangements are in the care of Clarke Piatt Funeral Home Inc., 6 Sunset Lake Road, Hunlock Creek.