How One Family Honored Their Grandmother’s 100th Birthday Long After Her Passing

Almost 15 years ago, Anthony Fischetti conceived the idea of throwing a birthday celebration for his grandmother, Genevieve.

Joined by his siblings, cousins, and extended family, the Fischetti clan celebrated by indulging in their grandmother’s favorite pastime: enjoying sundaes at a local Friendly’s restaurant.

Although the party was intended to honor Genevieve Fischetti, the matriarch of 16 was not there in person — she had passed away in 1998 at the age of 72, more than a decade prior — but her spirit and legacy endure within her tightly-knit family.

On February 28, 2025, the Fischetti family reconvened at Friendly’s, reflecting on fond memories and savoring ice cream to commemorate Genevieve’s 100th birthday.

“Being with her family brought her immense joy,” Anthony Fischetti shared with TODAY.com. “She would be thrilled that we’re continuing this tradition every year.”

“In large families, it’s easy to drift apart or not be close,” said Patti DeGraff, another grandchild. “We owe our connection to her. She made that happen.”

Genevieve Fischetti was born on February 25, 1925, and raised eight children in Belmore, New York, as a single mother. Her grandchildren described their parents’ upbringing as ‘challenging,’ as many of Genevieve’s children began working as soon as they were old enough.

“They grew up facing struggles, which motivated them to succeed,” Anthony Fischetti noted about his aunts and uncles. “They learned the value of hard work and passed that ethic down to us.”

Despite familial challenges, Genevieve maintained a positive outlook, working as a clerical assistant in a local hospital to provide for her four sons and four daughters.

Once her grandchildren arrived, Genevieve frequently took them out for ice cream at Friendly’s, a treasured family restaurant. They often sat in their favorite section while indulging in desserts, occasionally shooting spitballs in playful tribute to their grandmother.

After the inaugural posthumous birthday celebration, the tradition quickly caught on within the Fischetti family, as participation grew from 15 attendees to 35.

Each year, the relatives share stories and fondly remember the laughter, love, and gifts Genevieve shared with her family.

Although Genevieve often took her grandchildren out for ice cream, the family playfully recalls her lack of driving skills — she was known to leave notes on cars after minor bumps. Patti remembers a time when her grandmother unintentionally drove through the same toll booth multiple times while lost on a New York highway. “’Ma’am, where are you trying to go?” Patti recollects the concerned toll clerk asking her grandmother.

Thanks to the annual birthday festivities, Genevieve’s 21 great-grandchildren — whom she never had the chance to meet — have come to understand the significant impact her life had on the entire Fischetti family.

“She had a captivating laugh,” reflects 17-year-old Kylie DeGraff, Patti’s daughter, about her great-grandmother. “She made friends everywhere she went, and we aspire to emulate her outgoing nature.”

“We all share a strong bond,” states great-granddaughter Dianna Fischetti. “Despite her unfortunate passing, we continue to celebrate her life and cherish her memory.”

The Fischetti family even organized a virtual ice cream reunion via Zoom during the height of the 2020 pandemic to connect and celebrate their beloved grandmother.

Even though it’s been 27 years since Genevieve Fischetti’s passing, her legacy remains vibrant through these gatherings, which the family intends to continue, even if their beloved Friendly’s location shuts down.

To commemorate Genevieve’s significant milestone in 2025, the family participated in a mass honoring her before gathering at Friendly’s, as family and faith were her top priorities. At her memorial site, they placed eight carnations — her preferred flower — symbolizing her children, alongside 37 tulips representing her ever-expanding line of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“It was a privilege to honor her,” Trisha Burke reflects. “She would be so proud and laughing heartily. She’d probably say, ‘Oh, I’m famous! So many people are interested in me!’”