My former sister-in-law died Wednesday. Daughter headed to Utah.

The montage I created
@jerzgirl (9384)
United States
March 17, 2017 12:52pm CST
I haven't been married since 1989, yet I still consider my former inlaws family. I've kept in contact with many of them, especially now with Facebook. When I was first married and pregnant, I lived with Vina and her parents because my husband was in prison (another story for another time). I depended on their kindness and generosity greatly. They welcomed me into their home and I cannot forget that. Vina never married. The story as I heard it was that she was engaged at one point, but he died suddenly, so she never tried again. I don't know the whole story, but having stayed divorced all this time, I can actually understand not wanting to try again. She helped raise her brother's son after he passed and all the grandkids (27 of them) knew Aunt Vina would be there if needed. A couple or three years ago, she had a stroke and was moved in with another family member because she could no longer live alone. She was ambulatory, but no longer independent. Then, on Tuesday, she suffered a massive stroke. My ex called me at 1AM and left me a message that they didn't expect her to last the night. She eventually passed late Wednesday afternoon. It was as I was preparing a small montage to post to Facebook that I realized that she had died on her father's birthday. Had he lived, he would have been 117. She had just turned 81 in January. He was also 81 when he died. She was very close to her father. I felt that she 'chose' his birthday to join him. It was amazing to me. Anyway, my daughter is flying to Utah in the morning to attend the funeral and will visit her family while she's there. She hasn't been out to see them for four years, so she's looking forward to the trip. My question, to make this a discussion, is if you are divorced, are you still close to your inlaws? If a family member were to pass, would you have to travel far to attend their funeral?
9 people like this
7 responses
@Brittnyrose (1444)
• Aberdeen, North Carolina
18 Mar 17
Sorry about your lost. She seemed like a great person.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
18 Mar 17
thank you, Miranda.
1 person likes this
• Aberdeen, North Carolina
18 Mar 17
@jerzgirl your welcome. Hope anyone isn't grieving to bad. It's not a good feeling at all.
1 person likes this
• Aberdeen, North Carolina
20 Mar 17
@jerzgirl happy birthday to all. What a big celebration.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 17
I am sorry to hear this my friend. She sounds she was a very good lady to say the least. Also that is an amazing fact that she passed at the same age and day as her Father..that is quite something. It is surely some sort of sign at least to me being so superstitious. No I am not close with any of my in laws. I have had many and they are all either passed on or not within distance.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 17
@jerzgirl Yes she obviously did Wendy. Oh I see the day of his bday. Still wow. RIP.
@AmbiePam (121340)
• United States
17 Mar 17
She sounds like she was a wonderful person.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
17 Mar 17
I have never divorced so have not had this issue but in a friendly divorce, I can see it happening. Sorry for your loss.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
17 Mar 17
Thank you. I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40062)
• Toccoa, Georgia
24 Mar 17
That is very sad, may she RIP. That was good you still stayed close to them after your divorce.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
26 Mar 17
I tried. Wasn't successful with everyone. My mother set the tone when my cousin divorced his first wife. Anne was always welcome at our house.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
17 Mar 17
so sorry to hear this.What a very handsome woman
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9384)
• United States
17 Mar 17
She was very attractive, although she didn't pay much attention to it. Thank you for your comment.
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
17 Mar 17
@jerzgirl they never do.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11146)
• Calgary, Alberta
10 Apr 17
I am not sure what to say . . . I got to be divorced first to find out. . . Just kidding. Well, if my ex-in-laws were nice to me . . . I would!
1 person likes this