Unless your Mom had remarried that week, there was no reason she and you kids, as you were prepared, could not receive the Sacraments.
That priest was an idiot, but he wasn't the only one from that time frame. I met a woman who attended Mass every Sunday, but never went to Communion because when her husband sent her divorce papers in the mail, a priest told her the same thing; if she was divorced, she couldn't go to Communion. I was livid and told her that the priest was wrong, but I'd talk to the Pastor of our Parish, just to reassure her. I did so, she called him, and the following week, she went to Communion for the first time in over 20 years. She was in tears, she was so happy.
I'm sorry that situation turned you from the Church. I hope you'll reconsider, someday.
I doubt from the backlash on this thread that Peach will consider returning anytime soon. I'm exhausted from just reading it. I hope these Freepers don't act like this in church!