News Summary

At 90 years old, Mary McCurdy attributes her ability to live in her own home to one thing: good neighbors.

McCurdy has lived next door to Russell and Rosalie Jones since the 1960s on Summit Street in Lebanon.

"They had three little girls when they first moved next door to me," she said. "We've always been close. I watched their little girls grow up."

The Joneses always have been helpful, she said.

"They do neighborly things like put out my trash and bring things back in," she said.

But as McCurdy has aged, Russell and Rosalie have been the main reason she can remain in her own home.

"If they did not live next door, I would have to move to a retirement community," she said. "I've always had good, caring paid help, a few hours a week. But the Joneses never take a penny for anything they ever did for me. It's just all good will."

Rosalie drives McCurdy to doctor appointments and other errands that she may need help with.

When McCurdy had to purchase a television, Russ helped her go buy a new set and installed it.

Russ helped McCurdy install a monitoring system in her home so that she can see who has come to her house.

"They just do so much I can hardly think of all of it," she said.

Tell us about your neighbor

Nominate your neighbor to be featured as one of the Journal's Good Neighbors. Tell us about him or her in 100 words or fewer and e-mail to kaldridge@coxohio.com with Good Neighbor in the subject line, or mail to Good Neighbor c/o Kevin Aldridge, The Middletown Journal, 52 S. Broad St., Middletown, OH 45044.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2805 or mgildow@coxohio.com.