Iolanda Moscuzza Gardner

On the morning of Friday, September 19th, 2025, Iolanda Moscuzza Gardner passed away peacefully at her home in Petaluma, CA.  She was 75 years old.

Iolanda was born in Floridia, Sicily to Giuseppe and Grace Moscuzza. The youngest of six children, she and her family immigrated to the United States in 1955, settling in the North Beach area of San Francisco, California.

Iolanda held a number of jobs throughout her working life, one of which was on a luxury cruise ship for Royal Viking Line, which gave her the ability to travel the world for a year.

In June 1984, Iolanda married Michael Gardner and had one son, Alexander, in 1987. 

Iolanda always stayed involved in her Italian roots, and continued her passion for Italian culture, language, cuisine, and travel with events through the North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation and the Italian Catholic Federation. She loved weekend drives and outings to the ocean and wine country, and vacationing in places such as Lake Tahoe, Carmel, and of course all over Italy and Sicily. 

Iolanda is survived by her loving son Alex, her partner Les Villanyi, her sister Sylvia, her brother Santo, her sister-in-law Grace, and her large family of nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Iolanda was a sweet, gentle soul beloved by all, especially by Les’s grandsons for whom she was like a grandmother. 

A Memorial Service for close family and friends will be held at St. James Catholic Church, 125 Sonoma Mountain Parkway,Petaluma, Califronia October 20th, 11:00am. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to honor the Memory of Iolanda Gardner.