Celebrating 105 years of love, family, and kindness: Helena Dinaso’s remarkable journey

By Tracy Winslow

Contributor

A bevy of peach roses surrounding her match her beautiful, smooth complexion. She held a balloon, so everyone knew where to find her to wish her another healthy year. More guests and flowers arrived as a camera crew moved in to partake in Helena Dinaso’s milestone; her 105th birthday. 

Helena was celebrated by her friends, family, and caregivers on Monday, February 10th, at the Addison House of Bluffton. She has called this assisted living facility home since 2021. Helena is one of four daughters born to Biagio and Angelina Dinelli, immigrants from the Tuscany region of Italy. Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1920, Helena lived the majority of her life there raising a family of three children, G. Thomas McKane, Patricia Hagen, and Kathleen Driscoll, with her husband Gordon T McKane. Helena and Gordon were married for 35 years until his passing. Helena married Joseph Dinaso, and they enjoyed almost 40 years together. Helena resided for over 30 years in Florida, next moving to Bluffton where her son, Thomas, also resides with his wife, Mary. Helena has six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She has outlived both of her husbands, and all of her siblings. 

Helena is an avid gardener and began playing golf in her late 60s - even getting a coveted hole-in-one in her mid-70s. According to her family and friends, Helena has lived a life full of love, kindness, and hard work. Helaine Brown, Helena’s caregiver/CNA with Senior Helpers, says she has a loving and caring personality. “Helena is always concerned about the other residents, and, in the spirit of her Italian upbringing, is always making sure everyone has eaten.” When asked what her secret to longevity is, Helena said she is always surrounded by family and friends, and she ends each day saying, “Lord help us.” Best wishes, Helena, for your 106th glorious trip around the sun.

Tracy Winslow is the owner of Bluffton’s PREMIER yarn store - Low Country Shrimp and Knits. Take a class to learn how to knit or crochet, come squish the hundreds of different yarns available, and choose the materials to cast on your next obsession. All the information about Low Country Shrimp and Knits can be found at www.shrimpandknits.com. And we ship!