Four generations of the Cristante family recently dropped by the Harbourfront Restaurant in Wollongong to celebrate the 100th birthday of a very special lady.

To family and those who have known her, Maria Cristante is a "Saint".

Levi Gibson said his grandmother was the true matriarch of the family.

"It was great to see so many turn up to celebrate her birthday [May 9]. She is a fantastic woman," Mr Gibson said.

Maria was born in Spessa in the Fruili region of northern Italy in 1915. The eldest of seven sisters and one brother, two of which were adopted, she is affectionately referred to as "La Mamma".

It was through her passion for mountaineering that Maria met her husband Antonio on the peak of Monte Negro, close to the Italian border with Austria.

Following World War II, Maria and Antonio bought a hotel in Casarsa and started a family, having two children, Ivano and Gabriella. She also studied horticulture during this period.

The family emigrated to Australia in 1953 and took up residence in Smith Street, Wollongong where Maria has lived ever since.

"Many would recognise the oversized red mushroom letterbox at the front of her house," Mr Gibson said.

"Maria initially made clothing and toys before buying and managing a guest house and later purchasing a number of houses in the area."

Mr Gibson said his grandmother has always maintained a passion for gardening, cooking extravagant meals and working tirelessly for her family.

"She is in her 100th year but remains in good health and is now a great grandmother, who through her granddaughter learning to speak Italian, is maintaining her Italian heritage in Australia," he said.