Woman Celebrating 103rd Birthday Gets Her Birthday Wish: A Cat In Need Of A Home

April 20, 2018

A resident at Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living in St. George, Utah celebrated her 103rd birthday with a surprise barbecue in the community courtyard.

But Lillian Grant got much more than a surprise party.

Credit: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living

A week before the birthday party, Debbie Presland, the administrator of the senior living center, asked Lillian what she'd like for her birthday.

"A sweet cat like Sammy," she said, according to Presland.

Lillian's cat Sammy passed away a couple of years ago and she's missed her dearly.

Credit: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living

Presland contacted St. George animal shelter and started to plan her big surprise.

On the day of Lillian's party, an animal control officer walked up to Lillian and presented her with a beautiful 9-year-old cat.

Credit: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living

"Her reaction was priceless and brought tears to my eyes," Presland said. "She is certainly one very happy lady and you can tell the cat (Marley) loves his new adopted momma."

Credit: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living

"Marley and Lillian both got a gift of love today," she added.

Credit: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living

According to Presland, the two are already inseparable. In fact, all Grant could talk about was how she wanted to leave the party to get settled in with her new companion. She even calls Marley, Sammy, after the cat she misses so much.

Credit: Ridgeview Gardens Assisted Living

"A huge thank-you to St. George Animal Shelter for helping us bring Lillian the birthday gift she really longed for," Presland wrote on Facebook. "Marley will be the most loved cat around!"