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Family celebrates Nana's 98th birthday through nursing home window

Posted at 11:12 AM, Apr 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-04 11:42:06-04

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- Vera Cottrell's 98th birthday party had balloons, and cards, and songs.

Just no hugs.

Four generations of Vera'a family visited the great grandmother at Dunlop House Assisted Living in Colonial Heights and threw her a party through the window.

"We can't visit, you know, but we wanted to do something for her birthday, " Vera's daughter Brenda Riddle said.

Vera's great-granddaughters were even able to serenade her with "Hallelujah" through the window.

"Every time we see her, it's been like almost a tradition to sing that to her," Abby Heavrin said.

"At least we can still see her and talk to her and know she's OK," Abby's sister Bailey added.

Vera, known to her family as nana, said she loved seeing everyone's faces and being able to talk through the window.

"I think they're wonderful," she said.

The party brought some smiles in what is a difficult time,.

"It's hard, I miss her," Vera's granddaughter Beth Heavrin said. "I'd love to hug her and hold her hand. We've been really close my whole life, so it's hard."

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