Rosa Nell Hammer greeted friends, neighbors and former colleagues from her old sales desk at the Keyes Welcome Center on Main Street.
The real estate office was filled with balloons, music, gifts and good food for Hammer’s 104th birthday party on Oct. 2.
Organized by her longtime friend and former boss, Keyes District Sales Manager Alex Ruiz, the office was filled with smiling faces.
Hammer makes people happy to be around her.
The birthday celebration was one of several recent events: In August the town Veterans and Elderly Affairs committees recognized her work as a “Rosie the Riveter” factory worker during World War II and planted a tree in her honor at Veterans Park.
Coming up: The town will co-name Northwest 82nd Avenue for her.
Ruiz has held office birthday parties for Hammer since she turned 100, which is also when she sold her last home.
“I invited everyone that worked here before and also invited people she has known for many, many years,” Ruiz said.
Some guests traveled long distances, including Hammer’s son Harvey Hammer, 78, from Texas.
He said he appreciates the folks in town who care so much for his mother.
“I feel special [seeing the love],” he said.
He said he was thankful that friend Irene Delphus still brings his mother food, even though she moved to another part of town.
Thirty-six years ago, Hammer sold a home to the Delphus family.
“Whenever I would visit her and bring her a plate of food when she was living next door, she would give me the plate back full of strawberries,” Delphus said. “She has a zest for life, and she loves living.”
Christina Pappas, president of The Keyes Company, attended the celebration. Realtor Magazine has published a story about Hammer and her career.
The party ended with a toast and “Happy Birthday to You,” led by saxophonist Norlan Diaz, which was followed by cake.
Photo by Alexandra Herrera.