ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Katherine Rinaldi, a.k.a Kay, is one of WIFR’s most avid viewers and on Sunday, she celebrates her 100th birthday with her friends and family. More than 50 people were at the celebration at Lino’s Restuarant in Rockford.
“It’s just a gorgeous, wonderful experience. My daughter organized it, and they’re all here, and they’re all wishing me happy birthday. And it is a happy birthday,” Kay said.
Kay was born and raised in Rockford to an Italian family who immigrated in the 1920’s after the end of World War I. She says they left in hope of a better life, with more jobs. But Kay remembers her mother telling her how life wasn’t so much better, especially for women for whom there wasn’t many jobs available…