Rena Mary Molinari

1924 - 2018

Rena Mary Molinari

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the age of 93. She was born in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood on December 11, 1924 to her parents Leda and Felice Orlandi. When she was 3 years old, Felice passed away and her mother remarried Nello Scatena when Rena was 6. Nello legally adopted her when she was 12. She attended Jean Parker Grammar School and graduated from Galileo High School Class of 1942. A group of her closest girlfriends got together and formed a club that they called the "Yellow Jackets." The close relationship continued thouout their entire lives. She was a very active member of the Salesian Boys and Girls Club where she met her husband the late Robert Louis Molinari. They were married at Saints Peter and Paul Church on April 16, 1944. She was extremely proud of her Italian heritage.
Rena and Bob moved to the Marina District where St. Vincent de Paul became their parish. They were extremely active in the church's festivals and activities, particularly the Teen Club and the annual festival fundraiser. They were a loving couple full of life. Rena was Past President of many organizations, including Sacred Heart High School Mother's Club, Presentation High School Mother's Club, St. Mary's College Guild, De Paul Seniors, and Salesian Girl's Alumni. She was also a member of the Italian American Center, Italian Catholic Federation #50 and the Madonna S.S. Addolorata. Her life was also dedicated to charity work. She received the Archbishop's Youth Award for her work with the CYO in 1962, and in 2000 earned the Marino Pieretti Memorial Trophy. For two years, she was the Publicity Chairwoman for the National Council of Catholic Women and chaired the Variety Show to help needy children.
Rena lived a very fruitful life full of family and friends. In her leisure time, Rena loved to play cards, read novels, watch movies, and travel. She was an excellent cook who enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She was born to make people laugh and she felt fulfilled when she could entertain or present at a microphone. Her humor was contagious. Her family and friends joyfully witnessed her story telling, costume changes, and jokes. Not only was she was a born leader always willing to listen, she could motivate others, and always assisted whenever she was needed.
Cherished mother of Linda Mansouria, Bob Molinari (Martin Turnbull) and Jennifer Myers. Loving grandmother of Tiffany Mansouria and Michael Mansouria (Leatrice) and the apple of her eye great grandson, Israel Mansouria. Adopted grandmother to Maria Maldonado, Adopted sister to late Anna Alioto Capurro, Antoinette Canepa and Stephanie Alioto Suacci.
A special thank you to all of her caregivers, particularly Seema Kumpar and Lori Berggren, and the wonderful caring people of Vitas Hospice.
Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation from 4 to 8 PM Wednesday, April 4, 2018 with Vigil Service at 7PM at HALSTED N. GRAY – CAREW & ENGLISH, 1123 Sutter St., San Francisco. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11AM, Thursday, April 5, 2018 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 2320 Green Street, San Francisco CA. 94123. Entombment will follow at Italian Cemetery, 540 F Street, Colma CA
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club of San Francisco, 680 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 or VITAS Hospice Community Connection, 670 N. McCarthy Bl., Suite 220, Milpitas, CA 95035. www.vitascommunityconnection.org.

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