Iliana Carrara was born in Lucca, Italy on July 16th, 1930 to parents Pellegrino and Silvia Simonetti. She was 1 of 10 siblings born into a farmhand way of life and was quickly revered as a mother figure by her brothers and sisters. With
her parents busy providing for the family, as a young girl, Iliana happily embraced the need for nurturing. She aided her family with schooling, cooking, housekeeping, and tending to the land. Her family survived the trying times of World War 2 and incurred unique stories along the way. Iliana described the thundering sounds of bombings and the daily worry that any of her family could have become a victim of the war; the Nazi invasion had even made its way onto their own land and inside their home. Eventually, it was the Americans that liberated her family and their property.
Years later, she met her husband Carlo Carrara. Despite being one of the first of her siblings to fall in love, her parents made her wait to be wed. Iliana eventually married Carlo and they later had their only child Rosanna in February of 1956. Iliana spent her remaining Italy-based employment at an orphanage where she was a caregiver and cook for many kids... where even her daughter Rosanna could participate. She often reminisced on this position as being one of her proudest/favorite in life. While her post-war interest was originally geared toward being a nurse, she found this to be her true calling. In the 60s her brothers began exploring opportunities across the sea in America. Iliana soon followed and moved to San Francisco where she became gainfully employed by Levi's followed by Royal Pasta. These jobs, alongside the growing community of North Beach, helped pave lasting and loving friendships that would persist for a lifetime. Her time in San Francisco brought her great joy... seeing her brothers' families expand with the births of the next generation of the Simonetti family; a place where celebrations became regular joyous occasions.

Iliana's daughter Rosanna wed in the year 1978 and followed with the birth of her grandchildren, Joe and Jeanette. Iliana's early retirement allowed her to attend their school events, sports activities, and become their exclusive babysitter. In the late 1980s she moved from San Francisco to Redwood City to be closer with her grandchildren. Unbeknownst to her at the time, this transition gave Iliana the opportunity to befriend a new community of Italian immigrants local to the area; new friends whom would also sustain a loving relationship with her until her journey's end. Following her husbands passing in 2006, Iliana's granddaughter Jeanette spent her final 13 years next door in an effort to support, love, and learn from her; learn the epitome of selflessness, respect, joy, and love.
Iliana (Nonna) was a person that one seldom saw as angry or even intimidated. An individual that held spite or anger toward her simply did not exist. She was selfless and generous to all despite garnering a heavily opinionated perspective. She leaves us in peace, as well as with an opportunity... an opportunity that we ourselves adopt her loving nature and strong will. She passed Sunday, January 24th peacefully and in the presence of her grandchildren... handheld with all the love and affection that she had shown them.
Wife of the late Carlo Carrara
She is survived by her daughter Rosanne Gianino (Joe Gianino)
Also survived by her brothers Carlo (Sandy), Gian Paulo (Alda), Oriano (Pat), and Livio (Charlene) Simonetti.
She is the grandmother of Jeanette (Rick) Camacho and Joe (Laura) Gianino. She is great-grandmother of Sebastian & Marcus Camacho & Luca Gianino She is sister of the late Eni, Ivano, Franca, Franco, and Rosanna.

It was Iliana's wish to, in lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Saint Jude Children's Hospital or your favorite Charity.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we ask that friends and family wear masks at all times and please exercise social distancing as documented in the California Health and Safety guidelines.