Elderly couples...when one dies

Lost my grandfather in December 2012. My grandmother is doing fine but you can tell her mind is always on him. She gets really down sometimes even though she doesn't like to say it.

IWNHI to anyone discussed in this thread.

When my great grandfather was still alive he lived for two years after his wis wife passes. He was still smiling and friendly, but you could tell that he was the loneliest he had ever been. He had been with her for over 75 years. He never really had time in his life when she wasn't there. Even though he lived a long and happy life and was surrounded by his huge family when he died in his sleep, I think he wanted to die. I don't think he wanted to live in a world where she was not around.

Even tough it is sad that he was so lonely, it was also amazing that even after 93 years of living through the best and worse times of the 20th century, he still wanted nothing more than to sit in his recliner with a cup of coffee and talk to the love of his life.

My dad died just over a year ago. My 72 year old mom is doing great.

My paw paw died when he was 68. They were married for 50 years at that point. My grandma has a picture of him the day he started his own company, and has had it right next to her bed since he died. Every night for the past 21 years, she talks to the picture for a few minutes and kisses it before she goes to sleep. She was 100% ready to go when he died, and has been ever since then. She just stopped getting up out of bed to go do things during the day after that

My grandmother lived single for 40+ years after my grandfather died. 5-6 of those years she lived in frat house as a house mother. I would spend the night often at the frat house when I was about 8-12. Good times.

my grandpa spent nearly 20 years taking care of my grandmother while she slowly became sicker and sicker. when she died, he was so broken. I thought it would be just a matter of months before we'd lose him too. he ended up meeting a woman who made him happy again. they've been married for over 10 years now, and while she's not my most favorite person in the world and will never come close to the amazing person my grandmother was, she very likely saved his life and we got my awesome pawpaw back.

on the other hand, a very close couple of family friends both died within months of each other. he was so dead inside after his wife passed and couldn't go on anymore. it was so sad.

Wife's family in law couple. Married 50+ years. She had a stroke and while in hospital had second massive stroke and died. While driving or being driven home from hospital the husband has chest pains so he returns to hospital. Dies in ER.

More personally both of my grandmothers were the first to go. Both marriages were 40+ years. Both husbands/grandfathers made it about 2 years. My dad's dad gave me my first man hug and man cry. I went to shake his hand like everyone else in funeral home. He grabbed mine (his hands were huge mechanic hands) pulled me in to hug him and he lost it. Through sobs said he was sorry. And "what am I gonna do?" I lost my shite and walked out into hallway. First man hug and man cry for me. I handled it poorly but I was 15.

Can't believe it's been that long.