54°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

Burns feted at surprise party for 105th birthday

Surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers, Dorothy Burns was surprised with a party to celebrate her 105th birthday at Lakeview Terrace on the afternoon of Dec. 7.

“I’ve seen so many people from my past,” Burns said. “I don’t know how they heard about it.”

Those in attendance included family, friends, past and present caregivers and various community partners. Burns also received a special birthday card from Sen. Jacky Rosen.

Burns is an independent New Yorker who enjoyed roller-skating and acting on stage as a young woman. She is a fan of Nelson Eddy and Alan Ladd and was in attendance at the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She was living on her own, driving at age 100 before moving to Boulder City in 2018.

She worked as a prison clerk and raised three sons with her husband. She has six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

“Nothing is more important than family,” she said.

Burns’ sister’s grandson was among the many guests in attendance. “We met and sat and talked for about three hours together,” Burns said. “We had so much to say to each other.”

Veronica Huening, sales and marketing coordinator for Lakeview Terrace where Burns lives, organized the surprise party. Huening is a lifelong Boulder City resident who was the event coordinator at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children for 13 years until the pandemic in 2020.

“We reached out to all of our community partners who support our residents each and every day and I was so moved by the support,” Huening said.

Huening said Burns’ two favorite activities these days are reading books and socializing with her friends at mealtime.

“Dorothy is a very quiet, no-fuss type of person,” Huening said, “but she was so excited and just glowed all day.”

Contact reporter Anisa Buttar at abuttar@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Andrew Mitchell Elementary goes beyond 7 Habits

As a Leader In Me School, Mitchell Elementary frequently refers to the 7 Habits. As a matter of fact, each day at our morning ceremony, students and staff recite our mission statement, which refers specifically to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

LMNRA has deep roots in Boulder City

We at Lake Mead National Recreation Area are constantly amazed and grateful for the support from the Boulder City community. We also strive to provide great service to the people of this great town.

Local business funds memorial bench at King

For over a year, the staff at Martha P. King has been working with the Giamanco family to create a memorial bench for their little girl, Emilee.

A river runs through it

To say that Kathleen Wood knows the portion of the Colorado River between Hoover Dam and Willow Beach like the back of her hand is definitely an understatement.

All for a good cause

For decades, the Injured Police Officer’s Fund has been there to help provide support to Southern Nevada officers in their time of need.

For Mills, it’s been a wild ride

In the 35 years since he got on his first BMX bike, Ryan Mills has seen his fair share of tail ships, crankflips and nac nacs.

March comes in like a lion

This past weekend, while completing my March Home Matters, I was interrupted by a CRASH, BOOM from the backyard.

Synergistic strategies emphasized at Mitchell Elementary School

For those of you who have read my monthly contribution to this column, you can tell by now that I am thrilled to be the principal of a Lighthouse School because of the empowerment that the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People provides to us in our classrooms and our community.

Pali Camp scholarships for King Elementary students

For the last decade, the Boulder City Chapter of the Republican Women’s organization has been donating to Martha P. King Elementary School.