"In the northwest Las Vegas valley, it's a big day for a woman with an even bigger heart.
Arlene Johnson turned 100 years old.
On Saturday, she celebrated with family and friends.
"It’s just great to see everybody," she said with a laugh.
Her daughters Nancy LaPointe and Kathy Johnson reflected on their mother's 10 decades of life.
"She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met," said LaPointe. "The beginning of her life was not, not good. Very sad. A lot of heartaches."
Arlene went through foster homes as a child but was able to work her way through college and earn a nursing degree.
She also served as a nurse during World War II and continued her medical career, later becoming a member of an elite heart surgery team in Houston.
“I’ve been around the world, I guess you might say," Arlene said.
She traveled, married and had four children. She says it hasn't felt like 100 years because she's been so busy." (KSNV)