Mary Bell Thornburgh helps people.

She helps her family and her friends, she helps the troops, and she even helps strangers.

And yesterday, she celebrated her 100^th birthday.

Born on June 29, 1917, in Washington, Thornburgh graduated from Washington High School in 1935 and went on to graduate from Meredith College in 1939. She landed a teaching job in Aurora before joining the Red Cross, according to her niece, GingerBell Smith.

It was the height of World War II, and Thornburgh had a goal. She wanted to help the troops. The Red Cross sent her to both Hawaii and Guam to prepare the troops for their homecoming. When Thornburgh returned to the states, Smith said she never lost touch of her helpful spirit.

“All the while, she was always out there helping people. That’s what she did. Whatever she could, however she could, she did it. She helped people,” Smith said.

Thornburgh relocated to Texas, but didn’t return to Washington for good until years later. She received a master’s degree in Christian education from Columbia University, married World War II veteran Conway Thornburgh, and traveled to England, Virginia and towns throughout North Carolina.

In 1975, after obtaining another masters degree in counseling, she returned to Washington. Smith said nobody would hire her aunt because she was “too old.” That didn’t stop the 73-year old from helping her hometown community, though.

“She ran a national day of prayer. She ran Vacation Bible School. She was active in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. She did so much,” Smith said. “Meanwhile, she’s doing all this stuff, but she is totally deaf, she only reads lips.”

Smith said her aunt’s helping nature didn’t stop at the people she knew. She explained that when she’d visit, there would always be letters asking for Thornburgh’s assistance.

“She gave to everybody. She didn’t have much, and she didn’t care. She set a day aside every week to pray for people. For everyone. The president, the mayor, her family. Everybody,’ Smith said.

Thornburgh still resides in Washington, and just celebrated her 100^th year surrounded by friends and family Thursday morning.

“Her daughter, [Claudia], would say that’s not her story — her story is how much she’s loved,” Smith said.