"It's unbelievable," said Ryan. "The world is upside down now."
Ryan was a child during the Spanish flu, which lasted from 1918 to 1920 and killed millions across the world. Ryan remembers how the deadly disease impacted her parents for years after the pandemic.
"I just remember my parents crying because their friends died," said Ryan.
Ryan wants life to return safely to normal and encourages anyone that can to get the vaccine.
MORE: Experts dispel myths about the COVID-19 vaccine
Experts dispel false information, myths about the COVID-19 vaccine
"Well they're endangering their own life," said Ryan. "I mean you're not punishing anybody but yourself."
Her daughter works at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, and the hospital made an opening for Ryan to get the vaccine. Nancy says she wanted her mom to get the vaccine before traveling again.
"Well she's 100 and counting," said Hampton. "She wants to travel again, and I told her she can't go anywhere until she gets some coverage."
Ryan received the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday.
Carolyn Caldwell, president and CEO of the hospital, is proud of Madeline and the example she is setting for all those 65 and over.
"She's 100 years old she's seen a lot," Caldwell said. "For her to have the faith and the confidence in the vaccine - I think that really says a lot."
Ryan plans to travel back to Sicily when the pandemic is over and rediscover her roots.
MORE: What are the side effects of the COVID vaccine? See our FAQ
What are the side effects of the COVID vaccine? See our FAQ
The Spanish flu: Lessons can apply to COVID-19
The 1918 Spanish flu: How lessons learned apply to today's COVID-19 pandemic