PHOENIX — A Valley woman became a centenarian while under quarantine, so her family got some help to mark the occasion.
Bea Markow lives on the third floor of The Palazzo Assisted Living Facility in Phoenix.
Dozens of people gathered outside her window on the ground with no way of reaching her window.
The Phoenix Fire Department came to the rescue.
"You only turn 100 once. It's very rare. So we're very excited about this opportunity,” Phoenix Fire Department Spokesman Rob McDade said.
A more traditional gathering was out of the question because of COVID-19.
The virus has hit assisted living homes particularly hard, but for a few hours, century worthy smiles were the talk of the third floor.
Firefighters and family ascended atop a firefighter ladder to wish Markow a happy 100th birthday from a safe physical distance.
Cowbells rang out and people cheered as the bucket crept closer to the third story window.
All of this was a surprise, including her gift: a firefighter's helmet emblazoned with the number 100 and her name.
“Nothing that we could have planned or done that would have topped this,” said her son, Paul Markow “I'm blown away and thankful for everybody coming in and being apart of this. It's a great moment.”
The Palazzo Assisted Living Facility and the fire department teamed up to help make this celebration happen.