Pahrump is preparing to celebrate a living legend. Barbara Jean “BJ” Hetrick-Irwin—dancer, mentor, founder, veteran’s advocate, and pillar of the community—will turn 100 years old on June 19, 2025. But age, as BJ herself would say with a laugh, is just a number when your heart is still dancing.
Born June 19, 1925, in Des Moines, Iowa, BJ’s life has been one of determination, resilience, and joy. “I have one master,” she said with conviction. “When I get anxious or overwhelmed, I ask Him to squeeze my hand a little harder. I’m a positive person. I want people to be happy, and I’ve lived that.”
After marrying her World War II veteran husband, BJ moved from Iowa to California, where her daughter was born. Her son was born back in Des Moines. Eventually, BJ’s first marriage ended and she remarried. BJ and her new husband—both lovers of gambling and adventure—began exploring the Las Vegas area in search of retirement property. “We made fun of the name ‘Pahrump’ at first,” BJ admitted. “But when we crossed over the mountain and saw the mesquite trees after the rain, I fell in love. And the people here—they grew on me.”
She officially moved to Pahrump in 1987, not knowing that she would eventually help shape the town’s cultural and community landscape for decades to come. At the time, her husband—an experienced contractor—was working to obtain his Nevada license, while BJ found herself spending her time at the slot machines. “All I did was gamble,” she recalled. “And I told him, ‘Honey, I’ve got to do more than this.’”
That turning point came when she spotted a small notice in the local paper about a tap dancing group called the Senior Tappers, led by Mary Lou Ricci. “I’d only taken tap as a child, but I thought, why not? Within three months, I was teaching—though my students knew more than I did at first!” she laughed.
That humble beginning grew into what would later become the Nevada Silver Tappers, a group BJ founded around 1990 to promote not only dance, but confidence, friendship, and community service. The Silver Tappers, which BJ taught at various venues including Bob Ruud Community Center and Saddle West, grew from one student to a renowned troupe performing at events across the valley and raising funds for local causes.
The group’s mission wasn’t just about performance. “We gave back everything we earned,” she explained. “We’ve helped veterans with wells, supported the food bank, Salvation Army, and now we’re doing a big USO show to benefit the Daughters of the American Revolution. They do so much—welcoming veterans at the airport with flags. We want to support people who are out there giving.”
The Silver Tappers perform multiple benefit shows annually, including a Christmas show and a patriotic USO-themed performance. BJ, now 100, still performs—especially when it comes to honoring the military. “My forte is the military. That’s my heart,” she said.
In 2003, BJ launched the Ms Senior Golden Years pageant, another passion project aimed at empowering older women. “So many of these ladies were ready to give up. I tell them, you’ve raised your children, and your husband. Now it’s your time. Go live it to the fullest.”
The first pageant had ten contestants. Today, it continues to inspire, giving women a renewed sense of purpose. “It’s not about the glamour,” BJ insisted. “It’s about what it does for them. They know they’re valuable again. They know they still have a lot of life ahead of them.”
Many of the women she’s mentored have continued their platforms long after their reigns as queen ended. Carmen Murzyn of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Ellie Wilshusen, who champions awareness for the blind, are just two examples of queens who remain active in service. “They don’t stop. And that’s what I’m most proud of.”
BJ herself was once crowned Ms. Senior Nye County and Ms. Senior Nevada, despite never having performed a solo before entering the competition. “They made me do it,” she laughed. “I had no idea I would win.” She went on to direct the Ms. Senior Nevada Pageant for eight years before launching her own. “I wanted to bring the pageant experience to my own community.”
BJ’s leadership didn’t stop with teaching and pageantry. She’s been honored as Grand Marshal of the Fall Festival Parade twice and is proud to say that both the Nevada Silver Tappers and Ms Senior Golden Years queens now serve as the official ambassadors of Pahrump.
In 2020, her work gained national attention when TV personality Mike Rowe surprised her with a $25,000 donation for a full studio remodel as part of his show “Returning the Favor.” “At first I thought it was a scam,” BJ laughed. “They kept calling and I said, I’m not paying for anything! But it was real. They built me a beautiful studio, gave us a limousine ride, and he even danced with me.”
Today, BJ still attends tap classes at her studio three times a week. Though she no longer teaches, she praises her current instructors Kim Cornell-Lyle, an international dance professional, and Ione DeSantis, a former student-turned-instructor. “They’re dynamite,” she said proudly.
As she approaches her milestone birthday, BJ’s schedule is as full as ever. She’ll be celebrating with the community on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Calvada Eye, followed by a private family celebration at Artesia. “People wanted to be part of it, so this is my way of saying thank you.”
And the celebrations won’t stop there—her board of directors is taking her on a four-day cruise to Catalina Island just days after her birthday. The group will fly into Long Beach on June 23 before boarding the ship, which will also make a stop near Ensenada. “I hate planes,” BJ admitted with a grin, referring to the short flight. “But I love the food on the ship, so I’ll be staying on board and enjoying every bite!” Though the itinerary includes a day docked in Ensenada, BJ plans to remain aboard and soak in the experience from the comfort of the ship. “They’ve even paid my way,” she said appreciatively. “It’s going to be a wonderful trip.”
BJ has two children—Steve Elliott and Robyn Sue Butler—many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Her home is filled with trophies, memorabilia, and photographs chronicling decades of achievement, service, and joy. “I came to Pahrump to retire,” she said. “But this town gave me a second life. And I gave it mine.”
At 100 years young, BJ Hetrick-Irwin remains a living symbol of the power of positivity, community, and purpose. “If you don’t like Pahrump,” she said with a twinkle in her eye, “then leave. But me? I’ll never stop giving.”
