WELLAND — If affection is measured by how many people show up to your birthday party, Elena Turroni is a much-loved woman.
A capacity crowd turned out to Casa Dante, offering best wishes to a cherished matriarch of the Italian community who touched many lives across the city in her long and prosperous life. Maybe that’s because Turroni learned the most important lesson of all during her first 100 years of life. “I cannot say how happy I am – I can only express it in love. Love your friends, have love for one another. God bless you. I love you all.†With that, the centenarian summed up her recipe for happiness. Mike Belcastro said he could not believe the number of people who turned out to help his grandmother celebrate her 100th birthday. People travelled from as far as Los Angeles, Edmonton, New York State and across Ontario to mark the happy occasion with a woman who once catered food in the very hall that hosted her party.
“This is like a homecoming for her,†Belcastro said prior to the speeches and accolades that were heaped on a woman that has worn many hats in the community.