DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother passed away recently, and my brother, my sister and I miss her terribly. It is amazing to me the number of people who ask me if she "left us anything" -- referring to any inheritance. What's a polite response that will let people know they are out of line?
GENTLE READER: "She left us orphaned."
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)