Nancy -- RIP

Around July 4th, we learned that Nancy had passed away. She died in her apartment, presumably alone, as she had lived solo in her residence for a number of years. A neighbor, concerned about Nancy's sudden, uncharacteristic inactivity, discovered the corpse about 36 hours after she had died.

The activities peculiar to the recently deceased began shortly thereafter. Family members, some of whom had reputedly sketchy relations with Nancy, visited the deceased's apartment. The usual scavenger hunt for sentimental or valuable items presumably was part of the post-mortem action. Cleanup was also part of the deal, as there did not appear to be any takers for the lease. Nancy was something of a reader; books mysteriously appeared in a shared laundry room.

For those who knew Nancy as a neighbor and as a friend, her departure from life was very unsettling. Anyone who is not in the business of ministering to the dead, and has walked into a room and unexpectedly discovered a stiff, understands this feeling. That situation has only occurred for me in relation to domestic animals; whenever I've seen a human corpse, it was not a surprise.

Some people regard dying alone to be a dreadful nightmare. I can't speak to that feeling, except that it happened to someone I can now say I used to know.