Wife of Sen. Byrd dies after long illness

[finecraft]

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/topstories/index.ssf?/base/national-61/1143344664208000.xml&storylist=topstories

(snip) "CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Erma Ora James Byrd, the wife of U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, has died after battling an illness for five years. She was 88.

Erma Byrd, who met her husband of nearly 69 years when they were in grade school, died Saturday at the couple's home in McLean, Va., according to Byrd's spokesman, Tom Gavin.

The senator and members of their family were with her when she died.

"Erma and I are complete and whole, a total that is more than the sum of its parts," Byrd said of his wife on their 65th wedding anniversary in 2002. "In my life, Erma Ora Byrd is the diamond. She is a priceless treasure, a multifaceted woman of great insight and wisdom, of quiet humor and common sense." (end snip)

Rest in Peace Erma.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. RIP Mrs. Byrd

condolences to the family. :(

[Erika]

2. Sixty eight years of marriage

How alone Byrd must be feeling.

[barb162]

18. It's hard to imagine

[bluestateguy]

3. I'm sure Ann Coulter will have a nasty column ready to go in the morning

nt

[Rose Siding]

4. Oh, no. Condolences to the Senator

He was devoted to her.

That's so sad

[MADem]

5. Oh, no...this is NOT good

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/354/7/719

I hope his family stays close. He's at greater risk for mortality following the death of a spouse, even not considering his advanced age.

[flordehinojos]

6. yes, i thought of that too.

[Erika]

7. My aunt died after 40 years of marriage

My uncle told my cousins he chose not to live without her. He was dead within 30 days from a major heart attack. He'd never had heart problems.

[knitter4democracy]

29. That's something my hubby's seen first-hand as a doc.

He really worries about his widow and widower patients. That first year is the worst.

I'm so very sorry for Sen. Byrd and his whole family. What an amazing woman she must have been, and I will pray today for her and all of her loved ones.

[JDPriestly]

8. My sympathy to Senator Byrd.

They are proof that marriages can be wonderful.

[Syn_Ack]

9. RIP Erma Byrd

Most marriages nowadays don't last 65 days, let alone 65 years! It must be really hard for Robert Byrd to lose someone who he's been with and enjoyed life with for over a half century. So sad.

Rest In Peace, Erma Byrd.

[lovuian]

10. Oh may she find peace

He is going to be quite lost without her...O8)

[shenmue]

11. Rest in peace

:cry:

[dweller]

12. sending thoughts of strength to the Senator

knowing full well he must have prepared himself for this as her illness lasted these past five years.

The time will come when we will not have Senator Byrd there for us, hopefully that is still a few years away, and that the time we have left with him in his capacity he will still oppose this illegal war and continue to hold the pResident accountable for his deeds.

in times of mourning we should set aside our personal disagreements for certainly attacks from heartless individuals will come to strike him while he grieves.

we are bigger than that, or at least i hope so.

RIP Mrs. Byrd
dp

[mconvente]

13. RIP Mrs. Byrd

May Mr. Byrd stay strong in his loss.

[Raine]

14. Sympathy to the Senator

R-I-P Emma

[Daphne08]

15. My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Byrd and his family.

[The Sushi Bandit]

16. My blessings .... RIP Emma

[barb162]

17. rest in peace

[Botany]

19. For the Byrds

By Neil Young

"We've been through
some things together
With trunks of memories
still to come
We found things to do
in stormy weather
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Long may you run."

And she did have a long run ..... all the best to Robert and the Byrd Family.

[Milspec]

20. I lost the love of my life

in my 40's. At 54 I'm still not really over it. After decades together this must be devastating.
RIP Mrs. Byrd

[Trevelyan]

21. I will write him condolences. Having such a successful marriage is a

wonderful accomplishment though he must be feeling very lost. I appreciate the fact that Sen. Byrd has fought for us for so many decades.

:hug:

[Eurobabe]

22. RIP Erma Byrd

What an amazing tribute, that sentence spoke volumes of love. Condolences to Sen. Byrd. :cry:

[Ian David]

23. I'm declaring a two-week moratorium on yelling at Byrd's staffer

At least, that's for myself.

I hope others will decide to follow suit.

[goclark]

24. Maybe she gave him his wisdom

on Civil Rights issues that he needed to see.


Hope so, may she rest in peace.

[jwirr]

25. We are very sorry for the Senator's lose but it is our lose

also. She has served us alongside of him when she gave him her undivided support so that he could be strong and keep up the good fight. Thank you Erma.

[DearAbby]

26. How Sad...Rest in Peace Mrs. Byrd.

[0007]

27. R.I.P. Erma Ora Byrd

[BlakeB]

28. Terrible news.

Senator Bryd is one of the greatest senators this country has ever had. I respect him more than nearly any other politician. I hope he handles this loss well. I wish him the best and may his wife rest in peace.

[davidinalameda]

30. very sad

as a native WVian, I can't imagine what the mood is in the state right now

[goforit]

31. Hat's off to Mrs. Byrd!

[PegDAC]

32. Dear Senator Byrd

My sincerest sympathies are with you for your loss. Mrs. Byrd was a great lady.:-( :cry:

[MrScorpio]

33. Rest In Peace, Erma

My condolences to the Byrd Family