Fortunata Grace Ellena

She was the first child, born on April 1, 1924, to Santo & Grace Napoli in Troy, N.Y.. In 1949, Fortunata showed her adventurous spirit when she sailed with her father to Reggio Calabria, Italy, to meet and marry Carmelo Ellena, who became her lifelong soul-mate and husband of 44 years.

After a honeymoon in Italy, the young couple returned to New York where Carmelo began a lifelong, successful career owning and operating an authentic Italian bakery. Fortunata worked side by side with Carmelo in the shop, with him creating irresistible, original specialties and managing the bakery as Fortunata sold their baked goods. In 1970, the couple moved to California for health reasons, eventually settling in Orange County.

The Ellenas raised four sons. Fortunata was a devoted mother who followed her two passions -- caring for her family and serving her Catholic faith. She became the family’s rock, raised her sons to be true to themselves, to remain close to their family, and to always do what was right. She was involved in her boys’ daily needs and dreams as they grew into adulthood. And she always maintained a friendly, brave and cheerful outlook for an optimistic future -- even through the agony of losing her son, Joseph, in a plane crash in 1980, and later losing Carmelo in 1993 .

Filled with compassion, generosity and a desire to help others, Fortunata made friends easily and kept them for life. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family - including three trips to visit relatives in Southern Italy.

Fortunata enjoyed music, keeping a tidy house, and was such an avid cook that she preparing family meals well into her eighties. She delighted in spoiling her grandchildren with homemade cannoli, cakes and her specialty – velvety mashed potatoes. In her last years, she was thrilled to see the arrival of two great-grandchildren, Joseph and Julianne Alyssa.

She is survived by sons Natale “Nat” Ellena, Paul Ellena (Cecilia), and Santo Ellena, all of Orange County; four grandchildren -- Ivan Ellena (Jessica), Miguel Ellena (Paulina), Catherine Ellena Buth (Kevin), Sara Ellena -- and her great-grandchildren Joseph Ellena and Julianne Alyssa Buth.

Viewing and recitation of the rosary will be Tuesday, March 5, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Dimond and Shannon Mortuary, 10801 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove. A funeral mass will be Wednesday, March 6, at 8:30 a.m. at St. Columban Church, 10801 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove. Interment will be private.