George and Shirley Rock, on porch, enjoy the “Honk for Shirley” event that helped celebrate Shirley's 80th birthday party as the couple follows stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic. Also pictured, from left, are the Rocks' grandchildren, Brendan and Tara Rae, and daughter, Tracy Rae.

When George and Shirley Rock, of Butler Township, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in November, they were the guests of honor at a big party at Aubrey's Dubbs Dred that included the couple's cherished extended family and friends.

So they figured a similar event would be planned for Shirley's 80th birthday, which was April 4.

When it became obvious that a big family gathering — or a small one for that matter — would be impossible, George called his daughter, Tracy Rae, who lives in Harmony.

“He was sad because he wanted to do something special for her birthday,” Rae said. “He said 'What if we put a sign in the yard that says 'Honk for Shirley's birthday?'”

Rae's grown children made the sign, and a protocol-friendly alternative to Shirley's birthday party was born.

Rae asked her neighbors and people on Facebook to drive past to beep and wave to wish Shirley a happy 80th, and explained to her parents that they needed to be out on the porch or near a window inside.

Many responded to Rae's request, and the couple's Artlee Avenue neighborhood was filled with the music of car horns all day.

“People were even walking by and going 'Honk honk!'” Rae said.

She said a man who happened past offered to take a family picture and send it to Rae remotely so as not to breach social distancing protocol.

“There are still so many nice people out there who understand the situation,” Rae said.

The Rocks were thrilled so many took the time to participate in the Honk for Shirley event.

“It's been very depressing not being able to see people,” Shirley Rock said. “It was just so uplifting that people were so nice and beeping their horn and waving. It made me feel so much better.”

But the family didn't stop there.

Rae's niece and daughter set up a virtual party on Zoom that was attended by all but two of the Rock's four children and their spouses and eight grandchildren.

“That was the highlight for my Mom,” Rae said. “That definitely lifted her spirits.”

Shirley Rock agreed.

“I cried most of the time because it was so nice,” she said. “Our kids talked about what a wonderful life they've had with us and they were so proud and thankful that we were their parents and how we've done so much for them and they could never repay us.”

Family members from California, South Carolina, North Carolina and Maryland joined in the Zoom session to wish their mother or grandmother a happy birthday.

“We had virtual hugs,” Shirley said.

Rae grocery shops for her parents and leaves the items on the porch, as her father is in a vulnerable group during the coronavirus.

She said the fact that she can't stay and visit is hard on her parents.

“She gets teary-eyed because I can't go in,” Rae said of her mother.

She said the couple are normally very active. Her father golfs in the summer and her mother bowls and is active in her church.

Rae said the entire family dreams of the day when they can visit and talk, and when the Rocks can get out of their house and resume normal activities.

“I just hope this is all over soon and people can get their lives back,” she said.