One Rockland woman's incredible life journey has led her to celebrating her 104th birthday Wednesday.

Louise Busby was born into a post-World War I America in 1919 on 108th Street in East Harlem. Busby and her husband later settled into Rockland County to raise their family in Palisades.

"We came here 62 years ago, and there have been so many changes in Rockland County," she says. "All up and down on (Route) 59 was bare, with the one exception which was called Marshall's, but it wasn't called Marshall's at this time."

Busby worked as a seamstress for many years, with some of her favorite accomplishments coming from her designs. She says for holidays, she always tried to make something new and special.

Another point of pride is her husband.

"My husband, he went into service and he was at war in the Pacific, and they were shot down by a Kamikaze plane and he survived," she says. "Thank God for that, it was a destroyer. I was very proud of the fact that he did his job very well in the Navy."

Reflecting on her life so far, Busby says she's just as shocked as anyone.

"It's hard to believe, really and truly, that I am at that age," she says. "I tried to carry on as much as I could, as normally as I could, and thank God for that."

As for some secret tips, Busby says she doesn't really have any -- but she has always tried to live happily.

"I said there's no secret. It was working hard in life, and God was willing to give me this time in life," she says. "It takes strength ... it really takes strength."