When I moved into this area I found the old man across the street to be a complete cranky SOB who liked nothing anyone else did and complained constantly. Now he is a friendly old coot, smiling, passing the time day, etc. What, you might ask, brought about this big change? His wife died. True story....I kid you not
Same thing happened to my great grandmother. She was old, old and crotchety till the husband kicked, then she became the life of the party. She danced with a male stripper on her 100th birthday as I recall...