First Posted: 1/13/2013

Michele E. (Peifer) Murtha, 53, of Archbald, passed away Thursday evening, Jan. 3, 2013 in Hospice Community Care, Dunmore, surrounded by her family and close friends.

She was married to the late John V. Peifer, who passed away in 2001.

Born in Pittston on Sept. 14, 1959, she was the daughter of the late James P. and Betty Gallagher Murtha.

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Michele was a graduate of Pittston Area High School, class of 1977, and a 1987 graduate of the Wilkes Barre Area Practical Nursing Program, where she was first in her class.

Prior to her illness, she had been employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Geisinger Medical Group in Dallas and Renal Consultants in Wilkes-Barre.

She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston.

Surviving are her daughter, Gemma Elizabeth Rose Walsh; siblings, Maureen Canning and her husband, Tom, of Collegeville; James Murtha and his wife, Maureen, of Duryea; Michael Murtha and his wife, Mary Anne, of Enola; and Mary Francis and her husband, Ken, of Moosic. Also surviving are stepmother, Rosalie Murtha; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Special thank you to all family and friends, especially Dr. Robert Yanoshak, for compassionate care, also to the staff of Hospice Community Care, Dunmore.

Michele will forever be loved and remembered for her contagious laugh and tremendous sense of humor.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013 from the Peter J. Adonizio Funeral Home, 251 William St., Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston. Interment was in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a college fund for the benefit of Michele’s daughter Gemma Walsh and memorial contributions may be made out to Gemma Elizabeth Rose Walsh PA 529 GSP.

They can be mailed to Mike Murtha at 5 Redwood Dr., Enola, PA 17025 or delivered to the funeral home during the calling hours. Online condolences may be made at www.peterjadoniziofuneralhome.com.