common courtesy?

when i got home the other evening, i bumped into one of my neighbours. she's in her 80's, gets around with the help of a rolling frame and has very set ideas about certain things, but is otherwise very nice. anyway, i stopped to have a chat. it only lasted about 5 mns, but when we said our goodbyes, she not only wished me a nice evening but also thanked me for my kindness. which was very nice, but i'm not quite sure it was necessary. even when i didn't know her, i often stopped for a chat, but now that we've been introduced, she seems to feel she has to thank me all the time. so i wonder, do other people not show her the same courtesy? i mean, she's an old woman and i certainly hope other people are being nice to her...