Helen Murphy, a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes and a volunteer with multiple local organizations, celebrated her 90th birthday Oct. 17 at Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe in Rehoboth Beach.

During this time of COVID-19, her many friends from St. Peter’s, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Southern Delaware Chorale and fellow volunteers at the Sussex Correctional Institution were not able to visit her in person. Not to be deterred, her friends organized a drive-by parade, complete with banners, signs, balloons and a choral rendition of ‘Happy Birthday” in the parking lot and driveway of the Brandywine facility.

The event was a total surprise to Helen and provided a welcome, safely distanced and well-masked celebration for all involved.