Carolyn "Lena" Cretti Sept. 16, 1922 - Aug. 31, 2018 Lena worked hard her whole life and on Friday, August 31st, God called her home to rest. Lena was born in San Francisco and moved to Santa Venetia when she was 5 years old. She spent the next 90+ years within a mile of the family's former chicken ranch which is now the location of the Santa Venetia Market. (To read Lena's story of Santa Venetia since 1927, see page 10 of the July/August 2015 Santa Venetia Communicator; http://thesvna. org/, under "Archives".) She met and married her husband, Vic, of 50 years in 1941. They had three children: Vickie Lynn, Joanna, and Bob. She was preceded in death by both her parents, Louis and Maria Giomi, daughters Joanna (1946) and Vickie (1995), sister Ellen Raffi and brother Joe Giomi. She is survived by her loving son, Bob; daughter-in-law Mary Jo; son-in-law Rocky Cecchini; five very proud grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Lena had so much energy; it was even hard for her grandchildren to keep up with her. She was an accomplished seamstress and artist. She loved to walk, hike, garden, read, and travel. Her love of cooking for family and friends was a "work of art". There were always three meats, three vegetables, pasta, potatoes (for Mary Jo), salad, and dessert. Family and friends were always welcomed for a "little" something to eat. Nonnie, as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren, was always supportive and was their hero. She showered them with gifts and attentions. She taught them how to fish, ride a bike, row a raft, and clean a refrigerator. But most of all, she encouraged them to be the best people that they could be. Love of her family, friends, and a strong faith in God is her legacy. Many thanks to her loving caregiver, Rowena, and the wonderfully kind Alexa, Katerina, Bob and Karen from Hospice by the Bay. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 6th, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm; followed by a Rosary Service at 7:00 pm; both services will be held at Keaton's Redwood Chapel of Marin, 1801 Novato Blvd., Novato, CA 94947. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 7th, at Saint Isabella's Catholic Church, One Trinity Way, San Rafael, CA 94903. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in San Rafael. If you'd like to make a donation in Lena's memory, we would suggest Hospice by the Bay, 17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Larkspur, CA 94939 or the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County, PO Box 150527, San Rafael, CA 94915.
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