Stories Of Belonging: Nonna Elena

Nonna Elena: An Italian Immigrant’s Story of Courage, Tradition, and Community in Vancouver.

Italian immigration to Canada is filled with stories of courage, tradition, and resilience—and Nonna Elena’s journey is one of them. From the hills of Avellino to the heart of Vancouver, she carried her Italian roots across continents, building a life rich in love, community, and unforgettable recipes. Her story reminds us how food, family, and heritage can thrive even far from home.

This is the story of Nonna Elena, a remarkable woman whose courage, love, and Italian traditions helped build a new life in Canada.

Originally from Zuncoli, a small town in the hills of Avellino, Italy, Elena emigrated in June 1965 with her husband and young daughter. Before settling in Vancouver, they lived in Switzerland in a modest shared room, where the kitchen was communal and filled with the mingling aromas of family meals. It was a humble life, shaped by hope and the dream of something more.

Encouraged by her brother-in-law, who had already moved to Canada, Elena and her family boarded a plane from Switzerland to Halifax, then continued on to Vancouver. She arrived with love in her heart and the strength of her Italian roots, leaving behind her parents and thirteen siblings.

When she came to Canada in 1965, she wasn’t too happy. Canada felt very different from Italy and Switzerland. She recalls going to the store and seeing people walking around with hair rollers in their hair—something you would never see in Italy or anywhere in Europe.

Today, Nonna Elena has three children and ten grandchildren. Her Christmas table is famous for homemade cannelloni and crostoli. She prepares a generous amount of cannelloni per person, starting early in the morning with the fresh pasta and finishing late at night. Everything is rolled by hand. Her crostoli—thin, crispy, and sweet—are a cherished recipe she learned in Switzerland, made with laughter and love.

Nonna Elena learned how to make crostoli in Switzerland, where one day her brother-in-law said, “Let’s make some crostoli!” They didn’t have any tools and rolled everything by hand. The recipe worked, but when she came to Vancouver, she bought a pasta machine.

Now living in Vancouver, Nonna Elena continues to serve her community with pride. She received the Stella Award from the Italian Cultural Centre for her volunteer work, serves as Vice-Director of the Lady’s Club, and sits on the Campania Region Board. Her dedication and smile are known throughout the Italian-Canadian community.

Elena’s immigrant story is one of resilience, cultural preservation, and intergenerational love. Through her recipes, gatherings, and volunteer work, she reminds us that Italian traditions can thrive anywhere—especially when shared from the heart.