Bad start to a day

lookout123 · 02-18-2005, 11:11 AM

One of my favorite clients passed away yesterday. Her husband is absolutely torn to pieces. Although she was 70, she was extremely healthy until this happened, so it sounds strange to say of a 70 year old, but it was very unexpected.

She and her husband were among the first of my higher net worth clients to really put their trust in me when i first opened my business. A couple of times each month they would stop by the office just for coffee and would pretend to have questions about the account, when in reality they just enjoyed chatting with a "youngster".

She will be missed, by many, but especially so by her husband. I am not good at comforting people and have no idea what to say to a man who has just lost his partner of 53 years.

chainsaw · 02-18-2005, 11:53 AM

Wow, I'm so sorry. Life is so fragile and age doesn't make it hurt any less when you loose someone.

My grandparents were married for 52 years when my grandpa died. It was very hard for my grandma to adjust to being alone, but it's been 5 years and she's doing great. She is very religous and believes they will be reunited when the time is right.

I can't imagine what her husband is feeling, but I bet he'd love to hear from you. He'll need those chats over coffee more than ever now.

mrnoodle · 02-18-2005, 12:10 PM

"I'm sorry" and a hug is about all most people are looking for (if you're on hugging terms). It makes everyone feel awkward if you try to say too much more, and they'll be hurt if you don't say anything, so just keep it simple. IMO. And if he wants to talk about it, let him ramble for as long as he wants.

zippyt · 02-18-2005, 04:55 PM

Sorry to hear about this , Mr Noodle is right , keep it simple .
A a clients secertary that has been there for EVER wasn't there the other day , I asked where she was " retired ??" , no she , her ,elderly father ,and her brother were all killed by a tornado . I was FLOORED !!!!!!
So ya see life is fragle , enjoy it while you can , rember the good times .

xoxoxoBruce · 02-18-2005, 07:58 PM

I used to send my Uncle a bundle of clippings and things I found on the net, I thought he'd be interested in, a couple of times a month. After he died at Christmas, I've continued to send a bundle to my aunt of things tailored more to her taste.
In her letters she has thanked me profusely and has sent me newspaper clippings like he used to do. She appreciates the continuity and something to keep her busy, being alone for the first time in over 50 years.
Lookout, I'd suggest you make an effort to make sure he understands he's still welcome to visit. Sometimes people gobsmacked like this feel EVERYTHING is changed and don't know exactly what they can/should do.

02-18-2005, 11:11 AM	#1
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	Bad start to a day One of my favorite clients passed away yesterday. Her husband is absolutely torn to pieces. Although she was 70, she was extremely healthy until this happened, so it sounds strange to say of a 70 year old, but it was very unexpected. She and her husband were among the first of my higher net worth clients to really put their trust in me when i first opened my business. A couple of times each month they would stop by the office just for coffee and would pretend to have questions about the account, when in reality they just enjoyed chatting with a "youngster". She will be missed, by many, but especially so by her husband. I am not good at comforting people and have no idea what to say to a man who has just lost his partner of 53 years. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

02-18-2005, 11:53 AM	#2
chainsaw Wingnahningning... Er somethin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: 90802 Posts: 368	Wow, I'm so sorry. Life is so fragile and age doesn't make it hurt any less when you loose someone. My grandparents were married for 52 years when my grandpa died. It was very hard for my grandma to adjust to being alone, but it's been 5 years and she's doing great. She is very religous and believes they will be reunited when the time is right. I can't imagine what her husband is feeling, but I bet he'd love to hear from you. He'll need those chats over coffee more than ever now. __________________ I have no life, so I watch movies.

02-18-2005, 12:10 PM	#3
mrnoodle bent Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: under the weather Posts: 2,656	"I'm sorry" and a hug is about all most people are looking for (if you're on hugging terms). It makes everyone feel awkward if you try to say too much more, and they'll be hurt if you don't say anything, so just keep it simple. IMO. And if he wants to talk about it, let him ramble for as long as he wants. __________________ Sìn a nall na cuaranan sin. -- Cha mhór is fheairrde thu iad, tha iad coltach ri cat air a dhathadh

02-18-2005, 04:55 PM	#4
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	Sorry to hear about this , Mr Noodle is right , keep it simple . A a clients secertary that has been there for EVER wasn't there the other day , I asked where she was " retired ??" , no she , her ,elderly father ,and her brother were all killed by a tornado . I was FLOORED !!!!!! So ya see life is fragle , enjoy it while you can , rember the good times . __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

02-18-2005, 07:58 PM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I used to send my Uncle a bundle of clippings and things I found on the net, I thought he'd be interested in, a couple of times a month. After he died at Christmas, I've continued to send a bundle to my aunt of things tailored more to her taste. In her letters she has thanked me profusely and has sent me newspaper clippings like he used to do. She appreciates the continuity and something to keep her busy, being alone for the first time in over 50 years. Lookout, I'd suggest you make an effort to make sure he understands he's still welcome to visit. Sometimes people gobsmacked like this feel EVERYTHING is changed and don't know exactly what they can/should do. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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