Ilva’s Obituary Ilva Franchini 96 passed away at Trillium House on Saturday evening March 16, 2019. She was born in Novi di Modena, Italy on August 25, 1922 and grew up on a farm with her parents Nino and Malvina and her sister and three brothers. After surviving World War ll as an active member of the partisans, she immigrated to the U.S. with her husband Rino in 1955 and settled in the Chicagoland area, where she was employed for 32 years as a technical specialist at Zenith Radio Corporation until her retirement in 1988.
After many years of living in Chicago, Rino and Ilva moved to their dream home in Mundelein, Illinois with over an acre of land and a giant 300 year old oak tree in the center of the yard. The two had wonderful summer parties that included games of bocce played on a regulation course that Rino meticulously constructed. It was a wonderful time!
In 2004 after the death of her husband she moved to Marquette, Michigan to be near her daughter and grandchildren. She was an amazing cook who made her own pasta, vinegar and bread while listening to and singing with her favorite Italian operas. Opera played an important part in her life as it was the center of her musical and cultural environment as a young girl who regularly attended operas with her father in Novi di Modena.
Always well-read she could discuss any topic of the day with her very own very formidable and well thought out opinions. She also loved to garden, was an accomplished seamstress and successfully mastered Hardanger embroidery. During her retirement years in Marquette she was an avid supporter of all of her grandchildren’s activities.
Ilva was also a loyal viewer of MSNBC as it reinforced her progressive political views. Ilva is survived by her daughter Fosca (Michael) Cinelli of Marquette, Michigan; three grandchildren, Chaplin Cinelli, Maris Cinelli and Mia (Mathew Nyquist) Cinelli and nine nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Rino, her infant son Fosco, brothers Alfio, Zeno and Armando and her sister Alfia.
Ilva’s family would like to thank Doctors Susan Balmer, Cary Bjork and Diane Young and Physician Assistants Melissa Broeders and Nicole Roth for their excellent care during Ilva’s long life. Her family would also like to express their gratitude to the staff of UP Health System Marquette, UP Home Health and Hospice, and Trillium House for their compassion and loving care. Many thanks to her close friends Sally and Bruce Closser who supported and cared for her during her time in Marquette and her wonderful neighbors Dan Thomas, Mark Trembath and Rod Linn who always found time help out.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 from 4 to 6 pm at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM Saturday April 6, 2019 at Santa Maria del Popolo Chapel 116 N. Lake St. (Route 45) Mundelein with a 1 hour visitation prior to mass from 10-11 AM at church. Entombment will follow in Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville.
Donations in Ilva’s name may be made to Trillium House, Marquette, Michigan. Memories of Ilva may be shared at canalefuneral.com. For information visit www.
kristanfuneralhome.com or call 847-566-8020.
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