General Chat

Today I went out with o.h. to pick up a commode from Marketplace. It was being sold by a lady clearing her Mum's house after her Mum died during lockdown (not through covid but in hospital). It 's a folding frame, which I think will be useful as we don't have a downstairs loo and o.h. sometimes can't get his knees moving quickly enough to get upstairs. I think it will live in the shed lol

Afterwards we went to pick up mail from my house and as always I called on my old neighbour who will be 97 next month. Her neighbour, who has not lived in the flat more than a couple of years, was a bit reclusive and recently Pat hadn't seen her for some time. Pat said there had been Gas officials knocking and she told them she hadn't seen the neighbour. She wondered if she was away for Christmas and hadn't seen her since. Two weeks ago someone from the council finally took heed and checked, to find the poor woman had passed away probably near Christmas. Next of kin have been found but the funeral on Friday morning will be a subsidised one. How sad that a relatively young woman who obviously had mental health issues should die alone and unnoticed like that. May you rest in peace, Elizabeth.

Lizx

Aww that is sad, may she rest in peace.
There was a program many years ago about suicides and the one I remember is a woman who drowned in a river, nothing on her to identify her and I think the PM found that she had given birth, after investigation no one came forward to identify her and all that could done was DB 5 on the grave stone, meaning Dead Body 5, probably 5th one that week or month.

Sadly, there are quite a few people who die alone, but for nobody to miss them is really tragic.
Are we all so busy in our own little world that we don't notice the absence of communication with friends and relatives.?

I can't stop thinking about her. My friend of 96 is a little strange herself. I wish she had called the council herself instead of relying on the repairman who came to fix her balcony roof. He had obviously forgotten or not bothered to pass on her concerns voiced to him. I also feel guilty, had I still been there I would have told the counci sooner how things were and at least she wouldn't have lain there for so many months. i may even have befriended her, I did see her one time early on in her tenancy and we spoke and laughed at the coincidence of our Christian names.I

I feel as tho I should go to the funeral. It would be awful if there is to be no one but the council offcial there.

Lizxx

Liz that is very sad RIP so many people live on their own life can be cruel & a lonely place many family's will have relatives they never hear from. Liz maybe go to funeral sad but she will have someone there for her <3

Liz, you shouldn't feel guilty.
It's very sad, but it does make you wonder why her family hadn't been in touch for so long - especially at Christmas.

Aw Liz what a sad tale. If it helps you to have closure, then go to her funeral.
It is very sad that noone in her family have missed her as obviously not called round to visit in awhile.

I said to my landlady who llives across from me, if you ever notice my curtains not open by lunchtime then please call over as there could be something wrong.So she looks across everyday and that makes me feel reassured.

I have seen programmes on the tv about flats where people have died and lain there for months and i just cant understand especially if they are old or have problems how noone in their family checks on them. Its very selfish really.

But don't feel guilty Liz, it wasnt your fault.

Florence in the hebrides <3

Thanks folks.

When I lived at my house I started a Home watch scheme so would have made sure I knew Elizabeth. Someone else is running it now but not as I did it, they have pruned down the area I covered. Pat and Elizabeth's flats are close to my house tho altho Elizabeth didn't have normal window coverings just a sheet on a 'string' across the main window so it was never drawn (open). Pat could see lights from her flat at an angle from the other one so noticed when they stopped going on and off. How I wish she had told me - I am in touch with her by phone and knock on her door to say hello when I go round. I could have asked my son to check things out, it was before lockdown. My young neighbour started doing Pat's shopping for her when lockdown began, for which I am grateful.

My son's job is such that he would be an official going to check the flat and it was one of son's team involved in this case. He's partly doing a different role while working from home but I am so glad he didn't have to attend the flat and see this poor woman, and go through her things to find next of kin.

My son seemed surprised I wanted to attend the funeral. I have no idea if family members will be there, I got the impression she wasn't a local woman. Will see how I feel in the morning.

Lizxx

Dear Purple <3

So very sorry to read this.

May the lady rest in peace.

Maybe you might find a way to go to the funeral?

For now, take very gentle and good care, my friend
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Thank you Elizabeth (we share this poor woman's name)

I didn't go to the funeral. I am going to get my son to find out if a family member attended or sent flowers and then write a card to them. I just feel someone should acknowledge her living in our street even if she didn't socialise or make any acquaintances except Pat.

The street of Victorian terraced houses has changed a lot since I moved there in 1987. Most of the older people have died and houses become rentals or with young business people buying them so not at home much. It was a lovely friendly place to live when I first went there.

There is a useful parking area behind one side of the street but it's been sold off by the council to a Housing Association to have affordable housing built there. I expect it will affect the value of the houses. .The street will be changed again.

Lizxx

Dear Purple

You are a very good person.

For now, take very good care

Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Bless you, Elizabeth. We share her name. Thank you for your kind comments.

I hope she didn't suffer before she died. I don't know if it was natural causes or if she took her own life but not to be missed is heartbreaking and I just feel her presence in our neighbourhood should be acknowledged.

Lizxx

Update:

I found out yesterday that Elizabeth had been fostered as a child but due to difficulties, had not been in contact with her foster family for sometime. Apparently there were people known to her at the funeral but no-one who could afford the costs so it was a council funded occasion.

I feel so sad for the young woman who had obviously had many problems in life. Whether she took her own life or was unwell, things must have been hard for her. She was a very attractive woman, and it's awful that she couldn't reach her ful! potential in life.

I hope she is resting in peace now and will not be forgotten .

Lizx

<3 <3 <3 <3

Sad for the deceased but I think even worse for the police or other officials who have to break in and find a decomposed body.

Indeed Brian, it was a colleague of my son's who had to enter her flat. I think she had probably died around Christmas so it would have been a very unpleasant situation to find, especially as the heating was probably on.

Poor grl, no dignity in death, so upsetting.

Lizxx