Family sings 'Happy Birthday' to 100-year-old outside nursing home amid coronavirus crisis

Millie Erickson is in quarantine at her Massachusetts nursing home.

ByNicole Pelletiere via logo
Video byGabriella Abdul-Hakim
March 16, 2020, 1:24 PM

A Massachusetts family sang "Happy Birthday" to their 100-year-old loved one outside a nursing home window Sunday as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.

Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by a crowd of familiar faces to celebrate her becoming a centenarian. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine.

Sterling Village had to tighten its visitation policy due to the pandemic.

PHOTO: Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by family to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by a crowd of familiar faces to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
WCVB
PHOTO: Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Massachusetts, was greeted by family near a window March 15 to celebrate her 100th birthday. Sterling Village had to tighten its visitation policy due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Massachusetts, was greeted by family near a window March 15 to celebrate her 100th birthday. Sterling Village had to tighten its visitation policy due to the coronavirus pandemic.
WCVB

But since it was Millie Erickson's 100th birthday, the home and her family found a loophole to mark her special milestone.

PHOTO: Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by family to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by family to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
WCVB
PHOTO: Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Massachusetts, was greeted by family near a window March 15 to celebrate her 100th birthday. Sterling Village had to tighten its visitation policy due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by family March 15 to celebrate her 100th birthday. Sterling Village had to tighten its visitation policy due to the coronavirus pandemic. Millie's family then sand "Happy Birthday" outside the nursing home window.
WCVB

"It was really nice that they let us do that," Gary Erickson told ABC affiliate WCVB-TV in Boston. "She doesn't usually cry, but she did. She's just thrilled to see everybody and she's lived a good, long life."

PHOTO: Millie Erickson, 100, a resident of Sterling Village in Massachusetts, was greeted by family to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
Millie Erickson, 100, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by family to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
WCVB

The CDC says older adults are at higher risk and health officials in several states have recommended the elderly stay home as the crisis continues.

PHOTO: Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by family to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
Millie Erickson, a resident of Sterling Village in Sterling, Massachusetts, was greeted by a crowd of familiar faces to celebrate her becoming a centenarian on March 15. Her son, Gary Erickson said she is in quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak effects the globe.
WCVB

Millie wasn't able to blow out candles with her family but judging by the smile on her face, seeing them was all she needed.

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