Lost my mom 4 years 2-1/2 weeks ago. Although I administered CPR until the Paramedics got there, I knew she was gone. Age 90, long history of dementia, her brain just stopped sending signals to her heart to beat.
I don't let it spoil the holiday. Instead I remember the Thanksgivings when she was with us. Mom did a great turkey and always had interesting stories of her childhood.
It makes for a different Thanksgiving; not necessarily a bad one.
My condolences,
smokeywolf