Rachel "Dinallo" Picano

Raffaella (Rachel) DiNallo Picano, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 3rd, 2018. Rachel, was born September 17th, 1924 in Comune Di Cassino, Italy to parents Francesca Russo DiNallo and Giovanni DiNallo. Rachel and her brother Gaetano, tragically lost their father Giovanni in 1928. After the passing of her father, Rachel spent 6 years of schooling with nuns in Comune Di Cassino. These nuns helped raise her while her mother Francesca mourned the loss of Rachel and Gaetano’s father Giovanni. On December 9th, 1938, Rachel left Italy from Port of Naples on a ship bound for the United States. Rachel arrived at Ellis Island in New York City on January 6th, 1939. After arriving in the United States, Rachel found a job at her Aunt Mary Joseph’s restaurant Savoy and went on to meet her future husband Bartolomeo (Benny) Picano, in English class. Rachel and Benny were married on March 14th, 1943 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Rachel and Benny settled down in Detroit, Michigan and went on to have three children: John, Daniel, and Frances. Rachel was a devoted wife, caring mother, phenomenal chef, avid card player, and exceptional gardener. Rachel leaves behind her children John, Daniel, and Frances, in-laws Kathy, Debbie, and Tom, her grandchildren Mark, Julie, John, Nicolas, Rachel, and Sarah, and her great-grandchildren Mark Anthony, Sophia, Vincent, and Silas. In addition to immediate family, Rachel was an Italian woman who took pride in her family and spent countless days and nights with the immediate and extended family that she loved so dearly. Rachel was always quick to welcome anyone in to her home and treat them like family with Italian feasts, pizzelles, Sambuca, and coffee. Family, friends, and others whose lives Rachel touched are invited to celebrate life, to mourn loss, and to provide support to one other.     Visitation for Rachel will be held Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 1:00 - 8:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 6:30 pm at Manns Family Funeral Home, 17000 Middlebelt, Livonia, 48154.   Rachel will be In-State for final visiting from 10:30 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Priscilla Catholic Church, 19120 Purlingbrook, Livonia 48142.