I visited the day before she died. She couldn’t speak clearly but she squeezed my hand.
I was wearing a surgical mask because I’ve been fighting some kind of flu and she was saying something that I couldn’t understand. My niece who has been her primary nurse in the last few months said she wanted me to take the mask off and that it really didn’t matter because she was close to the end.
I did learn today that she spent an extra 6 months in the WAVES as part of a deal for the NAVY to release her brother from the remaining 6 months of his service so he could be home with his wife who was suffering from cancer herself.
I made sure to shake the hand of all the honor guard who performed the graveside service today. Mostly Vietnam vets with a couple who served in Desert Storm.
So she was able to recognize you right up until the end.
She sounds like a lady who really cherished her family.