Resident Spotlight: Debbie Armstrong’s Home Enhances Neighborhood Beauty

Debbie Armstrong, one of the winners in the inaugural Toledo Annual Neighborhood Beautification Contest, takes immense pride in her home—a house over 100 years old that has been in her family for generations. "This is my husband's grandmother's house," Armstrong said. "Over the years, his mother got it, and when she became disabled, we took it over. I started redoing everything."

Her dedication to maintaining and improving the house wasn't always easy. "When his mother passed, my husband wanted to move out, leave Toledo, but I refused," Armstrong said. "I loved my neighbors and I knew everyone down the block. I said, 'We're not moving anywhere.' And here we are 40 years later."

Despite financial constraints, Armstrong's commitment to her home never wavered. "We did a little bit at a time," Armstrong said. "First, we put the windows in, then the siding. We didn't have a lot of money because our daughters went to Central and Saint Ursula, and our son went to St. John's, so money was tight. But we made it work, bit by bit, and now everything's done."

Armstrong's passion for beautifying her home extends to her love for the outdoors. "As a kid in Michigan, we always picked apples and planted flowers with my mom," she recalled. "I love being outside. I worked for the gas company, walking, working with the guys, operating backhoes, and driving trucks. I can't stand being in an office."

Her hard work and dedication have paid off, not just in winning one of the beautification contest prizes but in creating a beautiful space for her family and neighborhood. Armstrong's story is an inspiration, showing what can be achieved with determination and pride in one's home.