Thank you for your most interesting and informative post. I, the OldPossum, whose post you quoted, had overlooked the possibility that the lady may have been suffering from some form of mental disease. It was wrong for me to assume that she must have simply poor judgment; that could be the case but I didn't take into account that the judgment might be the result of senility or something worse. Please forgive.
I was appalled to read about the unforgiveable things that were done to your mother. I hope that there is a special place in Hell for people who do something to a helpless person such as her. May God Bless Her. OP
No forgiveness necessary : ) These mental conditions are sneaky. Sometimes, Alzheimer's and dementia patients exhibit periods of lucidity. The worst "loss" was when I discovered that the music box was gone. My daddy was stationed in France(only people that ever set his jaw on edge), and of course went through Germany and Switzerland. Now this music box also doubled as a small bookstand, and two wolf(bear) cubs held it up on either end. I'm having a hard time describing this, but it was meticulously hand carved, and I and my kids totally tripped out on the teeth and claws when we were young. I remember my chore of rubbing it down with Old English furniture oil, daring to stick the rag into their mouths :) They had tongues, too! Anyway, I couldn't hardly wait to introduce this piece to my oldest grandbaby. It took a lot of self control not to track these bastards down, but we know where they live. Effn' Gypsies! There is a special place in hell for anyone who preys on the weak, infirm, or children.
My mom had to live in an assisted living facility. My mom suddenly took a turn for the worse, and died on my dad's birthday. I went personally to see her nurses, after leaving the hospital. It was my dad's birthday, and I found out that Mom told one of the nurses that she wanted to be with her husband, two weeks before she died.
She went on her terms, and that was truly a blessing from the Lord.
(((hugs and a long productive life, OP)))