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As Barbara Vanderkelen’s 80th birthday approached, her family planned to celebrate with a trip to Arizona.
When the trip had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “we …
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As Barbara Vanderkelen’s 80th birthday approached, her family planned to celebrate with a trip to Arizona.
When the trip had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, “we were at a loss,” said Kelly Laughlin, her daughter.
“Then we reached out to our community,” she said. “We were not disappointed!”
Family and friends came together to celebrate Vanderkelen’s birthday April 9.
Jessica Laughlin, Vanderkelen’s granddaughter, organized a parade featuring more than a dozen cars and a motorcycle, honking their horns with handcrafted signs with birthday wishes. A fireman joined in with his pickup flashing red lights.
“It was so much fun watching Mom wave to all the kids waving back and yelling ‘Happy Birthday Grandma’ to someone most had never met,” Kelly Laughlin said.
Vanderkelen has an apartment at Rocky Mountain Manor, though “she’s been staying with us while waiting out the virus,” Laughlin said. “We’re able to keep her safe and be there for her when she gets worried or lonely.”
Vanderkelen’s fellow manor residents were still able to be involved in the birthday celebration, however. Dusti Nalley at Blair’s Super Market created a “frog” cake that was delivered to Rocky Mountain Manor to share with residents and staff.
Then, manor manager Cindy Ibarra asked all the residents on Vanderkelen’s side of the building to come outside and sing “Happy Birthday” when Vanderkelen and Laughlin drove by.
“It was awesome to see everyone singing and waving,” Laughlin said.
Grandson George Laughlin in Idaho also set up a Zoom meeting so Vanderkelen could see more family members, including relatives they had planned to visit in Arizona.
“It warmed her heart to be able to ‘see their smiles’ and ‘hear them sing,’” Laughlin said. “And to know everyone is staying safe and doing what needs to be done during this time.”
Last but not least, George Laughlin, Sr. prepared “a wonderful meal” featuring shrimp cocktail; the sauce was made from horseradish grown in Oregon, where Vanderkelen lived most of her 80 years. Nalley made a smaller “frog” cake for dessert.
Kelly Laughlin said they can’t thank the Powell community enough for helping celebrate Vanderkelen’s birthday.
“We couldn’t have made this day any more special without the love from our community,” she said.
