Senator Byrd's wife has died

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

just announced here in WV

[CatWoman]

1. oh my

:cry:

my sincerest condolences to the great Senator.

[Dinger]

2. My Condolences

He'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[flyarm]

3. ahhhh bless her...and bless Senator Byrd...sad here...n/t

[CrownPrinceBandar]

4. Sincere condolences to Sen. Byrd.

[Rainscents]

5. Oh, no

My heart and prayer for Sen. Byrd. :cry:

[qanda]

6. Sad news

May she rest in peace.

[eleny]

7. He always spoke of her so beautifully

I thought of her at Thanksgiving because of the family dinner he'd describe.

[Roland99]

8. Dang...sorry to hear.

[Bluzmann57]

9. Man oh man. Very sad.

I realize he probably doesn't read DU, but condolences anyway Senator Byrd. RIP Mrs. Byrd. :( :-(

[Greeby]

10. ............

:cry:

[Lochloosa]

11. damn n/t

[babylonsister]

12. Deepest sympathies to Senator Byrd. Very sad. nt

[Greeby]

13. Statement from Senator Byrd's website

http://byrd.senate.gov/erma_byrd.html

-snip- In lieu of flowers, the Byrd family requests that donations be made to the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center at West Virginia University. (WVU Health Sciences Center; Development Office G-106; P.O. Box 9008; Morgantown, W.Va.; 26506. The fund number is 2V186.). -snip-

[Justice]

14. very sad - had she been ill or is this sudden?

[KoKo]

15. Wasn't her name "Emma?" Sad news..........they were married forever...

a lifetime. :-(

[globalvillage]

18. Erma n/t

[fooj]

62. 69 years!

You are in my thoughts, Senator. I wish you peace.

[Cleita]

16. Sad news. My prayers and thoughts to Senator Byrd.

:grouphug:

[globalvillage]

17. Oh, that's so sad.

RIP Mrs Byrd and condolences to the family

[Wickerman]

19. Sorry to hear that

THoughts and prayers with him and family.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

20. Condolences to Senator Byrd.

http://byrd.senate.gov/biography/biography.html

He had been married to his wife for 69 years.

RIP, Erma Ora Byrd.

[Pastiche423]

21. A safe and peaceful journey, Mrs. Bryd

My heart goes out to you, Senator Bryd.

[OhioBlue]

22. erma ora james

1937 Married Erma Ora James

While a student at Mark Twain High School, Robert Byrd was attracted to a young woman who was a grade behind him. Erma Ora James was a coal miner’s daughter. Robert had a unique way of courting Erma. A fellow student would often bring candy to school, and Byrd made it a point to be one of the first students to greet his friend each morning, hoping to be offered some of the sweet treats. When the offer was extended, Robert graciously accepted, but not for himself. He promptly sought out Erma James and gave the candy to her. Thus, Robert courted his sweetheart with another person’s sweets.

When they decided to get married in 1937, Robert was earning $75 a month. After their wedding, the newlyweds lived in two upstairs rooms in the coal camp house of Erma’s sister and brother-in-law. The first of the Byrd’s two daughters, Mona, was born while they lived in those two rooms.

http://soulofthesenate.org/timeline.html#1937

[UrbScotty]

25. Thank you, OhioBlue.

Neat to read.

[kentuck]

29. The Senator cannot live long without his beloved Erma....

nor will he wish to.... :(

[OzarkDem]

56. She was an amazing woman

and it sounds as though they had a wonderful marriage, from the age of 19. RIP Mrs. Byrd.

[UrbScotty]

23. They were together for 68 years

Good for them.

My thoughts and prayers to the Senator.

:hug:

[KoKo]

50. 68 Years.......Imagine..the sorrow.....

But the joy of memories...ups and downs....:cry:

[confuddled]

54. Judging from the way he looked at her

in the pictures posted, it would have to be like having a hole in his soul - poor man.

[Ioo]

24. As a WV Resident, My heart hurts for him.

Sad

[bigwillq]

26. What sad news.

:(

[AirmensMom]

27. So sad.

:cry:

[Greeby]

28. Would anyone be interested in donating as per the family's request

I'm a furriner and broke, so I can't :(

[WarNoMore]

30. Oh my. So sad.

My deepest condolences to Sen. Byrd and his family. He referred to her so many times thru' the years.

[Sinistrous]

31. Here is a link to the statement from Sen Byrd's office:

http://byrd.senate.gov/erma_byrd.html

The family has made the following request for donations in lieu of flowers:

In lieu of flowers, the Byrd family requests that donations be made to the Jon Michael Moore Trauma Center at West Virginia University. (WVU Health Sciences Center; Development Office G-106; P.O. Box 9008; Morgantown, W.Va.; 26506. The fund number is 2V186.).

My deepest condolences to Senator Byrd.

Sinistrous

Edited to add donation request.

[Jack Rabbit]

32. Rest in Peace

()

[BeHereNow]

33. Look for Byrd to go soon then...

Unfortunately, a study revealed that couples
who had been married as long as the Byrds
usually die within 6 months of eachother.
Sorry, I don't recall the source, but I do recall
the percentages were high.
So sad...
BHN

[Withywindle]

35. My great-grandparents did this...

...they were in their 90s, born in the 19th century. Just glad I got a chance to meet them.

I can't help but think it's often for the best that this happens.

:cry:

[BeHereNow]

45. I know my parents probably will-

I think they actually have already agreed
on it.
One would be lost without the other at
this point in their lives. They are so close.
Of course this is not true of all couples,
but certainly of some.
My guess would be that Byrd's wife
was his reason for living, the way he
spoke of her and all.
I would not be at all surprised to see
him leave us soon.
Sad for us, but completely understandable.
BHN

[chefgirl]

48. Oh, such sad news

I think you're exactly right too BHN.

My own parents were married for 51 years and died two years apart. My Dad died first, and my Mother had NO idea how to go on without him.

When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she had no fight in her, and I'm completely convinced that was the reason.

Senator Byrd's beloved wife almost surely WAS his reason and his purpose. My heart truly goes out to him.

I will pray for strength and grace to be granted him.

-chef-

[clydefrand]

38. He won't let that happen until he sees Bush get his just

rewards for disregarding the Constitution of the United States of America!

[theHandpuppet]

40. Not necessarily

My father passed away almost two years ago and my parents were married for nearly 66 years. After the stress of my Dad's lingering illness was over, my mother's health actually improved and though she of course mourns her loss, she is a very spunky, sarcastic and lively 87. I dare say she's in better shape than some of her kids!

[Catrina]

65. I think Sen. Byrd's wife was ill for a long time ~ and I think he is

strong and has work to do. I feel that he had two great loves in his life, his wife and his country.

He will miss her terribly, but I think he will go on fighting to take back this country and its Constitution, which he so loves and respects.

He was so right about this administration ~ everything he predicted has happened. But he also predicted that when the American people found out 'the truth about this administration, this house of cards will fall'. It is falling, and he was one of the first to speak out when others were frightened to do so. He is a wonderful Senator ~

Theirs was a true love story. May his wife, Erma, RIP ~ :cry:

[Stand and Fight]

34. My condolences...

My prayers are with the senator and his late wife.

[Withywindle]

36. Oh no....

My condolences to the Senator and his family.

:cry:

[miss_american_pie]

37. How sad

My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Byrd.

[Tiggeroshii]

39. There goes his sanity

This isn't gonna sound so right to say at this moment, but often when people are married for that long and are at his age they don't do so well mentally for a while. It's possible he could seriously lose it not too long from now.

It's quite a traumatic thing for a guy like him.

[senseandsensibility]

42. ?

I'm sure that Senator Byrd will be devastated, and I know that you mean your remarks kindly. But is it really necessary to suggest that he will lose his sanity? I wish him the best, and I hope his wife rests in peace.

[BeHereNow]

47. I understand the poster's reference to "sanity."

I feel the same way about my folks.
I think the poster was referring to the fact that
often, when elderly people lose a mate of many
years, they feel lost. It takes a long time
for many of them to adjust to the loss,
much like a person losing a limb to amputation.
The mate has become an extension of
themselves and the loss can be quite
disruptive to their lives.
In Bryd's case, I can see how this would
be possible, given how he has spoken
of his wife in the past.
BHN

[Tiggeroshii]

55. It's possible things can be very tough for him

...in his job and with his everyday life.

I do hope however that he is able to recover fully and successfully and continue the causes he has worked so hard for in recent history.

[bluerum]

41. Thoughts and prayers for the senator. nt

[rateyes]

43. Oh, no!

R.I.P. Ms. Byrd.

:cry:

[Deb]

44. Thanks for letting us know

I hope the Senator finds comfort knowing she is in God's loving embrace. I'll keep them in prayer.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

46. My thoughts are with him.

[Mikimouse]

49. My condolences to him and his family..

I am sorry for the loss, and hope that he can have some time to mourn privately.

[suffragette]

51. My condolences to you, Senator Byrd

May the memory of a life spent together soothe your heart.

[Deja Q]

52. My condolences. But he at least had a wife.

[Hidden Stillness]

53. She Lives in Glory With God Now, Free

My deepest sympathies to Sen. Byrd and family. I know it is very painful to lose a beloved spouse after decades and decades of a loving marriage. My Mom only lasted a couple of years after my Dad died, even though I tried to help, keep her somewhat active, etc. Everybody who listened to speeches on the floor of the Senate on C-SPAN2 knows that Sen. Byrd referred to her, her illnesses, recoveries over the years, and so on. How long will the great, courageous fighter (and sometimes maddening voter) Byrd go on, reading poetry on the floor of the Senate, harkening back to Roman times for perspective, reminding one and all that it is the Constitution that this country is based on, taking it out and showing it during a speech...?

The sad part about a long, wonderful relationship is that, one way or another, it ends. I hope that family and friends will be near, to offer comfort. Bless their whole family.

[Aristus]

57. Sympathy and prayers for the Senator.

I'm very sorry, Sen. Byrd.


:-(

[Vadem]

58. Oh, no! They were married like 69 years or something....

They were devoted to each other... I hope he doesn't start going downhill! Now, he just has his little BillyBoy, his puppy in DC... Bless them both! Senator Byrd is from my hometown, Sophia, WV! We West Virginian's love them both! RIP Erma!

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Kadie]

59. Condolences to Sen. Byrd and family.

You will be in our thoughts.

[AuntiBush]

60. My Sympathies to the Byrd Family.

[SeattleGirl]

61. How sad.

My condolences to the Senator.

[Kurovski]

63. My prayers and condolences

to the good Senator and his family.

[JI7]

64. very sad

Senator Inouye lost his wife just last week i think after a similar amount of time together. i can't imagine how tough it is to lose someone after being with them for so long. at least these two guys will have each other to talk about it with.

[maddezmom]

66. very sad news

Rest in peace, Erma :(

[DeepModem Mom]

67. Deepest condolences to the Senator and his family.

[bigtree]

68. he did well by her

I know he loved her

[JI7]

69. a pic of them together

not sure when, but you can tell how much Byrd loves her.

[VolcanoJen]

70. My deepest sympathy and condolences to Senator Byrd and his family

In deepest sympathy.