Yuma Senior Living resident celebrates 100th birthday

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Family, friends and fellow residents gathered at Yuma Senior Living on Friday to celebrate a remarkable milestone as Dottie Vaughn turned 100 years old.

Vaughn becomes the second centenarian living at the assisted living community, joining fellow resident Walter Hurlburt in reaching the century mark.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in Long Beach, California, Vaughn spent 25 years in Washington state working for the Department of Transportation. She retired as a transportation engineer before moving to Yuma in 2003.

Throughout her life, Vaughn has traveled the world, visiting famous landmarks across the globe. Today, she's known at Yuma Senior Living for her outgoing personality, love of dancing and enthusiasm for participating in community activities.

When asked about the secret to living a long life, Vaughn credited the healthy habits her grandmother taught her growing up. She also shared a message for younger generations, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and stay committed to their goals.

“When you start out as a young child, you always think about what you’d like to do. But sometimes you never follow through," Vaughn said. "If you’re serious about it, follow through. And you’ll find out, you’ll be very happy.”

Friday's celebration honored not only Vaughn's 100th birthday, but also a lifetime of adventure, perseverance and memories shared with those around her.