This past Sunday, the heartbreaking news of former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter passing away made its way around the public. The passionate advocate for mental health and defender of women’s rights and matters to do with caregiving died at the age of 96.
According to a statement made by The Carter Center, Rosalynn passed at home in Plains, Georgia, at 2:10 p.m. The message posted to their website also confirms that she died peacefully and was surrounded by her loving family, which includes her husband and former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, 99.
The death of the former matriarch of the U.S. nation comes after sources confirmed that she was facing health issues. Before the most recent health issue she endured, Rosalynn had undergone surgery to remove a nonmalignant lump in one of her breasts in 1977.The lump had been discovered during a routine gynecological check-up, and thus, a biopsy was conducted. Luckily, the immediate surgery was successful, and Rosalynn returned to normalcy after being treated.
Fast forwarding to earlier this year, The Carter Center announced that Rosalynn had developed dementia. Instead of succumbing to the harsh realities of the disease, she used her story to bring awareness to the damaging stigma attached to mental conditions.
She urged for mental health access to be improved across public spaces and also highlighted the importance of the caregiver role when loved ones are going through health challenges. Despite battling her health ailment, she and her husband’s organization confirmed:
“She continues to live happily at home with her husband, enjoying spring in Plains and visits with loved ones…”
One of her enjoyable moments included a rare public appearance with her beau in September, seven months after Jimmy entered home hospice care. The couple was driven through their hometown’s annual Peanut Festival.
In addition to asking for privacy and expressing thanks for the public’s love and support, the statement also stipulated that Rosalynn and Jimmy made the most of their time by spending time with each other and their family.
Though Rosalynn Was Nearing Her End, She and Her Husband Remained in Love and Held Hands Frequently
Although both Rosalynn and Jimmy had been in home hospice care due to their health ailments, the couple were still happy together. In fact, as reported by the duo’s grandson, Jason Carter, though, in terms of life, the two were:
“…coming to the end…they’re in love, and I don’t think anyone gets more than that. I mean, it’s a perfect situation for this time in their lives.”
Their endurance-fueled spirits kept them going and allowed them to do their best to make the most of their life together. Of their time spent with each other and their ability to push past their health woes before Rosalynn sadly passed, their doting grandson, Jason, disclosed:
“they are still here, they are still holding hands and still very much together…It’s clear we’re in the final chapter.”
Although, as stated by Jason himself, life had been different, citing the couple’s quiet and calm home as opposed to their usual lively, entertaining energy, Rosalynn and Jimmy were still aware and present for what was happening around them. Of his grandmother’s mental health, he said that she still remembered her loved ones for the most part and knew they were her family.
He even revealed that before she died, Rosalynn was still able to form new memories and spoke about how getting a good night’s sleep would be extremely beneficial in improving her symptoms.
As many continue to mourn the devastating news of the former First Lady of the United States’ death, those stricken by grief can take comfort in the fact that her last moments alive were spent with her loving family.
Though her life was intertwined with her dementia toward the end, Rosalynn lived her life to the fullest, and her incredible legacy lives on with her husband and their family.