Toni Underwood, who celebrated her 100th birthday July 13, was looking forward to her big centenarian celebration. Her daughter, Maria Murray, said they had a 150 person party planned before coronavirus happened.

Instead, her birthday had to evolve into a small socially-distanced garden party, hosted by her senior living community, Fairwinds Redmond. Despite the obstacle, Underwood was still honored like a star, with a sequin face mask, tiara and red carpet walk. Staff also planted a rose bush in her honor in the garden.

Toni Underwood walks the red carpet at her 100th birthday celebration. Courtesy photo/Fairwinds Redmond

Underwood, previously featured in Redmond Reporter, was a WWII army nurse that set up hospitals for D-Day. She moved to Redmond five years ago to live at Fairwinds Redmond, close to Murray.

In the many years since her time in the service she’s done a lot of travel, her most recent trip was to Africa at the age of 98. She was also honored in Normandy during her trip to Europe with family at the age of 95.

But Underwood is still hoping to reschedule her big birthday bash when it’s safe to be among her friends and family again.