Reader’s Respond: What were your parents like when they got older?
We asked our readers what their parents were like as they grew older and some of your responses tore at our hearts.
From dying young to living a long healthy life or not having the chance to know them, here are some of your most touching responses.
Beverley Asmus - My parents were enjoying their empty nest when my dad inexplicably passed at age 60. My mum lived to 68. So we never got to enjoy or witness their old age. However, I can’t see them being any different from the kind, caring parents they always were.
Helen Joan Harmon - My dad died aged 56 years, so never had the privilege of growing old. However, mum lived to 81 years of age and she was a great mother and grandmother.
Margaret Hunter - My Dad never grew old. He died at 39. Mum was still active till she passed at 86.
Susan Elizabeth Reid - My father died at 64, partly due to malaria that he caught in New Guinea during WW2. My mother didn’t really get over his death and became extremely depressed and eventually had dementia. I didn’t really know them as old people.
Christine Hayes - Never got to know them at old age. Sadly, my father died in the Air Force in the UK in WW2, then my darling mother died of a stroke at age 49. I’m now 80.
Bronwyn Halley - My mum and dad never got the chance to get old. Dad passed away from a heart attack at 55 and mum three years later with cancer at 49....I often wonder.
Annette Boland - You never forget them! We have lots of treasured memories!
Bobbie Briggs - Both passed at 71...younger than I am now...never seemed to be old...just tired...loved them to bits.
Jill Harker - My dear dad never had that opportunity - passed away at 48! My mum lived until 92 - was pretty good up until the last couple of years!
Diana Richards - They were the best. Did what they had to do teach us respect, manners, to treat others as you would expect to be treated. They did the best they could with what they had. Both sadly missed.
Debra Rogers - My dad and mum never got that chance. Dad passed away at 41 and mum passed away at 56. I loved them both and still do. I would give anything to have them back. I was just 11 when dad left me and 28 when mum went.
To leave a memory of your own, or to check out more of the amazing responses head here.
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