American Benevolent Society executive director Aliki Elias with her mother Dolly Button, who made all the cakes for the luncheon. Pulse News Mexico photo/Melissa T. Castro

By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS

It wasn’t May 10 (Mexican Mother’s Day) or even the second Sunday in May (U.S. and European Mother’s Day), but on Wednesday May 17, the American Benevolent Society (ABS) in Mexico paid homage to moms of all stripes with a home-cooked Italian luncheon at Christ Church Parish in Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec.

The ABS’ belated celebration of Día de las Madres — which included a Caprese salad and four different hand-crafted pastas, as well as free-flowing prosecco and chocolate swirl bundt cake with red berries and vanilla ice cream — turned out to be a mother-daughter festival as an unprecedented number of ABS members showed up with their mothers to mark the holiday.

“It doesn’t really matter that we are observing Mother’s Day a few days late,” said ABS vice president Frances Huttanus, who hosted the luncheon.

“For all of us and for every son or daughter, every day is Mother’s Day. After all, one day is never enough to show our appreciation of our moms.”

Founded in 1868, the American Benevolent Society is a nonprofit organization that provides charitable assistance to both U.S. and Mexican nationals during periods of personal distress or financial need.