The community turned out on March 28 to wish a happy 100th birthday to Dorothy Denson, who was born on March 29, 1921, and has lived in Parkesburg for more than 70 years.

A drive-by parade held in her honor was led by two vehicles from the Parkesburg Police Department, followed by nearly 20 cars full of well-wishers, many of whom stopped by to hand over flowers, balloons, cards and gifts. The parade also featured fire and rescue vehicles from Keystone Valley Fire Department (KVFD), which sounded their sirens as they passed.

Because of the rainy weather, Dorothy watched the parade pass by from her front porch of her house, where she resides with her daughter. Her family members who joined her went out to the street to receive the cards and gifts. Neighbors also came out of their homes to greet Dorothy and watch the parade.

The parade was arranged as a surprise for Dorothy by her grandson, Andre Anderson, who is the activities coordinator at The Parkesburg POINT youth center. Youths at The POINT made a giant birthday card for Dorothy, and Larry Constable, one of the founders of the youth center, stopped by Dorothy's home to lead a rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Dorothy was married to Paul Richard Denson, who passed away in 1988. Dorothy and Paul have four children, two boys and two girls; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

According to Liesl Denson, Dorothy's granddaughter, Dorothy and Paul were married in Atglen on Aug. 8, 1942. "Grandma always told me about her wedding day," Liesl shared. "She said that it rained all day and the (church) flooded and the cake floated out of the church and down the hill."

Dorothy, who was born in Atglen, is the oldest of eight children and the last to survive. During her lifetime, she fostered more than 30 children from birth.

When asked her secret to a long life, she said it is her Christian faith.

A link to watch a video of the birthday parade is available at http://www.facebook.com/kvfd8 in a post made on March 28.