DEAR ABBY: I just lost my husband. He was 61 years old and suffered a massive coronary at home. Taking care of all the things a "new" widow must do has been very hard.
My husband had been married before, briefly, in the 1960s. When I contacted the Social Security office, they told me I would have to provide a copy of his divorce papers -- among other documents -- before I could receive his widow benefits. (Thank God his mother is still living and could tell me which city to contact and the approximate year of the divorce.)
I am writing this for the benefit of other women who are second and third wives. NOW is the time to get the divorce papers from their husbands' previous marriages. Doing it while you are grief-stricken is very stressful. -- HANGING BY A THREAD, TULSA, OKLA.
DEAR HANGING BY A THREAD: Please accept my condolences for the sudden loss of your beloved husband. I am sure many couples will be grateful that you made it a point at this difficult time to warn them.
You now need all of the support you can get, and I do not mean just financial. I hope you will find a grief-support group to help you through. Many readers have written to tell me how helpful they are. Please let me know how you are in six months. I care.