A 100-year-old American woman who was reunited with her daughter six years ago after 77 years of separation has been making up for lost time by visiting her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Minka Disbrow of San Clemente, California also has become an instant celebrity because of her unique story. Her daughter Betty Jane, who changed her name to Ruth Lee, was a product of rape when she was 16 and was given up for adoption after her birth because Disbrow's parents did not want her brought to their South Dakota farm.

Disbrow kept a photograph of Betty Jane and kept in touch with the adoption agency that gave the baby to a pastor and his wife until a change in management ended the communication.

Disbrow went on with her life never knowing what happened to her daughter. She got married and bore two children. She worked different jobs in different states until she got a call from one of her grandsons looking for her six years ago, when she was 94.

The grandson named Brian Lee, 54, of Alabama got Disbrow's identity from adoption records obtained through a South Dakota court petition while he was researching on the family's medical history. He then searched for his grandmother's numbers online. When he found it, he made the fateful July phone call.

Disbrow talked for the first time with her daughter over the phone. She learned that her daughter, 70, married, and they had six children, including space shuttle astronaut Mark C. Lee.

Ruth and Brian Lee flew to California the following month to meet Disbrow in person for the first time.

"It was just like we had never parted," Disbrow said, according to AP. "Like you were with the family all your life."

Her daughter, now 82 years old, is still amazed at their reunion. Disbrow's daughter, Dianna Huhn, 55, of Portland, Oregon, said her mother has never been so happy after the reunion.

Disbrow continues to visit her grandchildren and great grandchildren in Wisconsin and Texas. They will have a reunion in Alabama to celebrate her 100th birthday.