December 16, 2004

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Landerwood Lane’s Joan Kerby was an inspiration to her neighbors

By Louise Cate
Special to the Times

The United States has been described as a “nation of strangers.” However, when we moved into our Almaden Valley home in 1970, we discovered the 12 to 14 houses around us on Landerwood Lane were a “neighborhood of friends.” One of the reasons people were friends, instead of strangers, was the friendly influence of one neighbor, Joan Kerby, who lived next door to our new home.

Joan and her husband Devere Kerby pictured in 1970.

IBM moved us to San Jose with four children, 30 boxes of books, some furniture, and a dog sled left over from the four years we’d spent in Alaska.

The day after we moved into our home, I was out front playing with our 1-year-old daughter, Michelle, when I noticed a short, middle aged, very energetic woman hurrying past our home.

As she passed us, she gave me a big smile, tossed her curly blond hair and exclaimed, “Hi, I live next door! My name is Joan. Welcome to the neighborhood! I’m glad to see you have children. I love children. I’m late for an appointment, but I’ll talk to you later.”

Clad in white cotton shorts, a red T-shirt, and rubber thongs, she disappeared into the house next to us. I was amazed and delighted at her welcome. I didn’t know anyone in San Jose and had been feeling lonely. Joan’s warm welcome reassured me that I would have at least one friend.

For 34 years I’ve enjoyed Joan’s friendship and have observed the friendships she shares with most of the people on Landerwood Lane. Joan was always doing something to help people. She took in newspapers and mail for several neighbors whenever they went out of town. She was in charge of our polling site for over 30 years and cheerfully greeted everyone by name when they came to vote. Joan’s willingness to serve, her sense of humor, her impressive intelligence, and her interest in everything seemed to endear her to everyone.

Because Joan is older than I am, she frequently helped me have a more mature view of life. By sharing my joys, sorrows, and concerns with her, I was able to understand my life through her eyes.

Joan Kerby loved to have lunch with her neighborhood friends. In this photo, Joan is in the middle, enjoying a laugh with neighbors Margie Lallo, left, and Nell Linssen.

Joan was like a grandmother to each of our children. For many years she remembered each of their birthdays by giving them a card with money enclosed. When our youngest daughter, Michelle, was angry with any of us, she would announce, “I’m running away!” Then she would go to Joan’s home where she kept her little suitcase permanently in Joan’s hall closet. Joan would welcome her and after a little love and attention, Michelle would decide to give us another chance.

Recently Joan moved to southern California to be near her son. Soon a new family will live in Joan’s former home. The first time I meet them I plan to say, “Hi, I live next door! My name is Louise. Welcome to the neighborhood!” Joan taught me well.

Louise Cate is an Almaden Valley freelance writer.