Family members, residents and staff gathered March 3 for a party at Cedarbrook Nursing Home, South Whitehall Township, to celebrate Michalena Fiorello’s 105th birthday.

According to a press release from Cedarbrook, Aunt Lena, as she is known by her family was truly a woman ahead of her time.

Fiorello, who was born Feb. 26, 1912 and never married, came to live at Cedarbrook when she was 99 years old.

Her niece Mary Deutsch of Whitehall spoke with The Press during the party.

Deutsch said Aunt Lena [Michalena] prior to coming to Cedarbrook lived in a home near St. Thomas Moore in Allentown.

“Aunt Lena owned her own hotel in the Poconos called “The Plateau” where she did the cooking in the restaurant,” Deutsch said. “She also worked at Hess Brothers as a manager for several years.”

Deutsch said Michalena [Aunt Lena] was found late into her 90”s on a ladder cleaning windows and kitchen cabinets.

According to Deutsch, Michalena enjoyed Italian cooking and gardening.

Deutsch said Michalena’s baby brother John, who is 96, still lives with his wife in New York City.

During the party, Michelle Julian, RN, BSN, MS, director of nursing at Cedarbrook presented to Michalena with a certificate signed by Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller and the board of commissioners, a City of Allentown proclamation signed by Mayor Ed Pawlowski and a letter from Governor Tom Wolf wishing her a happy birthday.

Birthday cake, ice cream and punch were enjoyed by Michalena, her family members and all Cedarbrook residents and staff who came to wish her happy birthday at her party.