Once-Revered SC Lawmaker Freezes to Death Alone. That is correct. 1st black woman in Legislature dies alone, cold. A very sad end to someone who contributed a great deal to society.
Juanita Goggins was the first Black woman elected to the South Carolina legislature in 1974. In 2010 at the age of 75 , she lived alone in a rented home, kept to herself mostly, supported peripherally by family and friends. But she died alone from a hypothermia-induced heart attack, and signs of dementia.
No one wanted to pry or be pushy. Quite understandable. It is a tragedy when someone dies from something preventable. Especially when alone.
Keep a check on neighbors, especially those that live alone or frail. Regardless of the weather.
See:
- http://newsmax.com/US/US-Forgotten-Lawmaker/2010/03/10/id/352272
- http://www.thestate.com/2010/03/10/1195425/once-revered-sc-lawmaker-freezes.html?RSS=general_news
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How very very sad. It goes along I think with the demise of the nuclear family.
Remember when? Grandmother would come for each birth and stay til everybody adjusted? When grandparents were part and parcel of every family?
When we did not warehouse our infants and toddlers because there was no need? Mom, Aunts, neighbors, and especially grandparents were there.
When three and four generations shared life and living arrangements?
When kids did not shoot up their schools? When autism was not so prevalent and there was no such thing as ADD or ADHD?
I agree- watch out for one another- check on those in your community living alone.
PMM, thank you for pointing out what should be obvious to many people, but often minimize in importance. All your points are quite true. Soceity could benefit as a whole if any of your points raised became integrated and central again.
It’s such a sad thing when you hear about something like this.
Like PMM said, the nuclear family is not what it used to be. When I first had my kids, I envisioned them living in the area near me and being able to see them for Sunday dinners along with all my grand-kids. I was some dreamer…most of them live out of State and the one that does live near me only calls when she needs a babysitter. It’s rare that she will just call to see how things are.
I’ve often wondered what will happen when I get older, will they be there for me like I’ve been here for my mom and mother-in-law. To be honest, I doubt it very much.
Do not dispair Nunly. They come around as often as they NEED. You are, in their minds, close enough already. They migrate and circle closer as needed. Telephones and the like make it seem like it is close enough. Make the most of it. And don’t let go. Constant reminders of closeness will keep the concept alive in the mind and heart.
How very sad. PMM, you hit the nail on the head.
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