The strains of classical music from a four-piece string quartet were all but drowned out by the excited chatter of well-wishers Sunday afternoon at local activist Betty Johnson’s 85th birthday party.

The banquet room at the Corvallis Senior Center was packed with Johnson’s friends and family members as the lady of the day received her guests with grace and style.

Almost everyone in the room wanted a minute or two with Johnson to wish her a happy birthday and to reminisce. No sooner would one individual or small group leave her to make their way to the heavily laden table of hors d’oeuvres, than another cluster of newly arrived guests would gravitate toward her.

Dressed in a striking turquoise pantsuit that nicely complemented her pink cheeks and snow-white hair, Johnson tireless gave her attention to each and every guest.

Johnson and her husband Francis moved to Corvallis from the Midwest more than three decades ago, and she has gained the admiration of many community members for her tireless advocacy for the equitable distribution of health care in Oregon.

Having worked in the fields of senior and social services in Benton and surrounding counties for almost 15 years, Johnson helped found one of the first hospice organizations in the country — Benton Hospice Service — as well as the Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates, a homemakers service which helps seniors with housekeeping, and Corvallis Caring Place, a not-for-profit assisted living facility.

She is known as an activist who gets things done, but Johnson consistently attributes her success to the help of those she’s worked with.

From the looks of her birthday bash, this appreciation is definitely reciprocated.

After eight and a half decades, Johnson shows no sign of slowing down, and she seems surprised to find she is 85.

“I can’t believe it, that’s the part that is so incredible,” she said. “I feel so blessed.”