Elsa Guidi

Elsa Guidi was born Elsa Chemello on December 18, 1940 in Casoni, Vincenza, Italy, to Bernardina and Giuseppe Chemello. She was the youngest of seven children. Her childhood was not an easy one, born during WWII years, and her father died unexpectedly when she was only six months old.

After the premature death of her father, Elsa's mother struggled to support the family. Older siblings were put to work, but the 3 youngest, including Elsa, were sent to an orphanage from 1946-1951. These years were very traumatic for her and her siblings. While they were being cared for in the orphanage and later by cousins, their older siblings and mother were working on a plan to get them to America. Eventually her brother, "Louis," sent for them, and the 3 of them boarded a ship sailing to New York City. She was just shy of 12 years old at this time. The 2-week voyage was not a fun one. She talked of terrible motion sickness, with no adult to look after them. She hated boats for the rest of her life.

Once in America, they joined the rest of the family in Detroit. She attended school but it was very difficult as she struggled to learn English as quickly as possible as well as new customs. She left high school at 17 in order to go to beauty school and get a job and start earning money. She worked as a hairdresser in the Detroit area until she married her husband, Luigi Guidi, in 1963, whom she met at one of the Italian-American clubs in Detroit where they would go dancing most weekends. 

After a year of marriage, they moved from their Detroit apartment to a house in Northville. Elsa loved that house and living in Northville, just a short walk away from stores, schools, church, etc. While they were living in that house, her mother came to live with them and remained with them for the rest of her life. In 1969, they built a cottage at Blue Lake, near Gladwin, where they enjoyed time with extended family and friends for a few years until selling it.

Their one and only child, Lisa, was born in 1972. In 1974, the four of them made the move up north to the Charlevoix/Norwood area, where they lived for the next 40+ years. Elsa was sad to leave Northville, where she had so many family and friends, but eventually grew to love her homestead in the country. Elsa's greatest pride was cooking. Everyone loved to be treated to her wonderful homemade food. Many of her recipes started off with,"First, you brown the onions." She also enjoyed gardening and looked forward to planting her flowers every year. Shel loved having friends over and socializing around a table with coffee and cookies. She will be missed by all who knew her. "Ciao, ciao!"

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa; Randy, who she jokingly called her favorite son-in-law; granddaughter Camella, and grandson Logan. 

She was preceded in death by her mother and father and all her siblings except one brother ("Sam"), and her husband Luigi in 2023 after 60 years of marriage.

A graveside service will take place at Norwood Cemetery in the Spring of 2026.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com