Quartucciu also has its centenarian, with the community rallying around "Aunt Delfina Tidu" for her centenary. Initially known as "tzia," over the years she increasingly became the "aunt" of all Quartucciu for her generosity and attachment to tradition. A historic figure in the town, for years a pillar of the Pro Loco, the local tourist board recently presented the 46th Bread and Sweets Exhibition at DoMusArT, a festival so dear to Aunt Delfina, where she was a pastry chef and famous for her legendary fregula sarda.
A century of life celebrated with family, friends, the Pro Loco association, and the Corpus Domini Committee of the ancient Bixinau de S'Axedu neighborhood . To mark the occasion, a surprise party was organized in her garden on Thursday evening, beginning with a Mass in her honor, celebrated by the city's two parish priests, Father Elvio Puddu and Father Davide Cannella. Father Elvio himself spoke of Aunt Delfina's spirit. "She has a special energy, I assure you. I should be sitting there in your place, dear Delfina, listening to you."
During the celebration, he gave her a copy of her baptismal certificate, celebrated on October 10, 1926, which also revealed her full name: Delfina Angela Rosa, in memory of her two grandmothers. "One hundred is a milestone, which is now being archived. We're aiming for 105, then 110, and we'll see," the parish priest joked. And she, without hesitation, replied: "Okay, I'm in." Aunt Delfina was a pillar of the Quartucciu Pro Loco, which awarded her the title of honorary member for her dedication. "We learned so many things from her. When we need something, she remembers everything. She's like a mother to me," said president Anna Chiara Loi. But the most beautiful testimonies came from the family members present. "We still make desserts together; she's still a hard worker. We even embroidered together, and she managed to do everything," said her daughter, Teresina Bande. A force of nature: "I thought people would come! I don't feel 100 years old. I can do anything sitting down: I can take apart a handbag and remake it from scratch. I even made today's party favors," says the birthday girl.
Her granddaughter Chiara Dentoni recounts it with a smile: "Since this morning, everyone I meet says they're her granddaughter. I am her granddaughter, but the truth is, they're all my grandmother's grandchildren." Mayor Pietro Pisu also honored the centenarian with a plaque. "On behalf of all the citizens, we thank you for the kindness, passion, and skill with which you brought prestige and glory to Quartucciu. Best wishes!" The evening also featured numerous anecdotes that testified to Tidu's strength. "I first met Grandma Delfina six years ago. One day I walked her home, warning her to be careful about the steps at the entrance. In fact, I tripped and had to hold on to her to keep from falling. At that point, she looked at me with a puzzled expression. She's the one who brought me home safe and sound," Andrea Taglienti recounts with a laugh.
"We've always admired her for everything she did and still does today. We remember her in her blue lab coat from when she worked in the workshop with Grandpa Peppino. Then she suddenly decided to make sweets and fregola," say her two granddaughters, Claudia and Silvia Bande. "She was a strong woman and a hard worker. A woman dedicated to the community, the town, and the people. For 20 years, she's welcomed me into her home as if I were her own son. She's a strong woman, all in one piece," adds Simone Contini. And at the end of the evening, when many were starting to feel tired after the day, Aunt Delfina responded with her usual energy: "I'm so happy with this party. But I'm not tired!"
