Mary Claudia Frattura’s family has more than the obvious reason — love — for traveling from as far as California to be with her today.It’s her birthday: her 100th.That means the former Mary Biasella was the New Year’s Baby in 1912. Well, one of them anyway.It doesn’t matter that Alzheimer’s disease has made it impossible for Mrs. Frattura to be able to communicate her fondness for the gathering of generations of loved ones at Pleasant View Health Care Center in Barberton, where she lives; they long to be near her.For there’s still so much history, so many memories to celebrate.The honoree, after all, is built of pretty strong physical stock. When she was 98, she broke both hips and still breezed through the operation.Here’s a little of her story, as shared by her daughter, Patricia DeJacimo of Green: “[The former] Mary Biasella was born in Allegheny County, Pa., on Jan. 1, 1912, the first born of nine children. She lived in Florette, Pa., until moving to Canton in her early years, where she attended school and worked.“Mary married Albert Frattura in 1934. They took up residence on North Main Street in the North Hill area of Akron for the 52 years of their marriage, until Albert’s passing in 1986.” Mrs. Frattura — who moved to Pleasant Pointe Assisted Living in Barberton in 2007, later to neighboring Pleasant View — is the mother of four: Beverly Ann (Richard) Waltz of Barberton, Donna (Joseph) Duve of Tallmadge, Patricia (Michael) De-Jacimo and Albert (Linda) Frattura of Lansing, Mich.Rounding out the family are 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.In her younger days, Mary Frattura used to run circles as a dedicated homemaker, an active member of St. Martha’s Parish for 73 years, a volunteer for more than 35 years at St. Mary High School and St. Vincent High School, and a longtime member of Castel Di Sangro. She’s been a member since 2007 of St. Augustine Parish.Here’s wishing her the best 100th birthday celebration possible.Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.