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Grandma gets 95th birthday surprise from safe distance amid coronavirus pandemic

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Family surprises grandma on 95th birthday amid COVID-19 pandemic
Sara Byrne/Instagram
ByNicole Pelletiere
Video byGabriella Abdul-Hakim
March 19, 2020, 6:46 PM

A 95-year-old in self-quarantine received a surprise birthday visit from family during the global coronavirus crisis.

On March 18, Kathleen "Katie" Byrne of Syracuse, New York, was greeted at a safe distance by loved ones singing "Happy Birthday."

Her granddaughter, Sara Byrne, also a Syracuse resident, shared video of the moment on Instagram where it was viewed by thousands.

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"She's such a great person, always positive and loving to anyone," Byrne told "Good Morning America." "She goes to church every week but hasn't been able to with everything going on. She's a very faithful person."

On March 18, Kathleen "Katie" Byrne of Syracuse, New York, was greeted at a safe distance by loved ones singing "Happy Birthday" during the coronavirus crisis.
Sara Byrne

She went on, "We were just giving her well wishes, letting her know we were thinking about her."

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Katie Byrne has 7 sons, 22 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Her 95th birthday party was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis and has been keeping a safe distance from others.

Family serenades grandma for her 95th birthday from safe distance on her front lawn amidst coronavirus pandemic.
Sara Byrne/Instagram

The CDC says older adults are at higher risk and health officials in several states have recommended the elderly stay home as the crisis continues.

Sara Byrne and her cousin, Caitlin Byrne, along with 18 other family members stood on Katie's lawn holding signs to celebrate her special day.

Sara said her grandmother was thrilled with the surprise.

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