Awful news, Greg. We are a couple days away from the seventh anniversary of my mother's passing. Though not proven, I believe she was also a victim of medical error. I was 150 miles away at the time and had a about 15 minutes between hearing she was in trouble and that she was gone at age 56. She was a police/fire/ambulance dispatcher in Yonkers, NY and I think losing many friends and acquaintances in 9/11 a month earlier took away some of her will to fight.
It is a horrible loss whenever a close relative passes, and so much more painful when it is avoidable and cuts a life short. Take care of yourself and keep your head screwed on straight through the tough time that is sure to follow. There's a light at the end of the tunnel and, though it will never be as bright as it was, it will be better than it is today.
-Bob