Wife or widow?

[Humpy D]

If you are introducing the spouse of a deceased person to a group of people should you introduce her as "Fred's wife" or "Fred's widow"?

Not sure if you stop using the term "wife" when the husband dies.

[HTP99]

Why does she have to be someones wife or widow, can't she just be introduced as herself, the person who she is as opposed to having a label?

[InitialDave]

Ask her?

[Humpy D]

Ok, good questions.

She is going to be presenting an award in memory of her late husband at a golf club event. If she is introduced by her Christian name some people may not know who she is.

So I want to know whether to introduce her as "Fred's wife" or "Fred's widow".

[HTP99]

InitialDave said:

Ask her?

Then this!

[SmoothCriminal]

Can't you just introduce her by her married name or is she
A) using her maiden name?
B) he was not well known?

[pincher]

For me, it has to be Fred’s wife - I still get introduced as my wife’s husband and it has been 5 years since she died. I think I would be a little bit dismayed to be introduced as someone’s widower. But that’s just me.

[HustleRussell]

Ask her, but if you don't want to ask her use 'wife'.

"Many of you will remember Fred, this year we have the pleasure of awarding the winner of the blah blah blah boring golf cup in his memory. Here to announce the winner of the Fred Fredswife boring gold trophy we have Fred's wife Wifey Fredswife"

[Shakermaker]

HustleRussell said:

Ask her, but if you don't want to ask her use 'wife'.

"Many of you will remember Fred, this year we have the pleasure of awarding the winner of the blah blah blah boring golf cup in his memory. Here to announce the winner of the Fred Fredswife boring gold trophy we have Fred's wife Wifey Fredswife"

Sounds like you knew old Fred pretty well!

My mother in law would be furious if she was ever introduced as "Peter's widow" to someone who may have known her late husband

[Humpy D]

Thanks all.

I think I'll go with wife. Widow seems a bit harsh somehow, almost as if you are reminding her that her husband has died!!

[Gad-Westy]

Humpy D said:

Thanks all.

I think I'll go with wife. Widow seems a bit harsh somehow, almost as if you are reminding her that her husband has died!!

If she's presenting an award in honour of her late husband, is it not covered by the intro anyway? something along the lines of:

"Here introducing this award in memory of her late husband, Fred Bloggs, please welcome Jane Bloggs"

[Humpy D]

Gad-Westy said:

Humpy D said:

Thanks all.

I think I'll go with wife. Widow seems a bit harsh somehow, almost as if you are reminding her that her husband has died!!

If she's presenting an award in honour of her late husband, is it not covered by the intro anyway? something along the lines of:

"Here introducing this award in memory of her late husband, Fred Bloggs, please welcome Jane Bloggs"

I like this, thanks.

[PositronicRay]

Humpy D said:

Thanks all.

I think I'll go with wife. Widow seems a bit harsh somehow, almost as if you are reminding her that her husband has died!!

Either is probably better than spinster of the parish.

[PositronicRay]

Humpy D said:

Thanks all.

I think I'll go with wife. Widow seems a bit harsh somehow, almost as if you are reminding her that her husband has died!!

Either is probably better than spinster of the parish.

Edited by PositronicRay on Thursday 9th August 11:42

[bloomen]

I prefer 'piece of meat' as the correct terminology for all spouses.

[rodericb]

Introduce her as <first name> <last name> and let her fill in the blanks. Let her (get her) to speak for a bit - she might need some encouragement and help - and everyone can celebrate the memory of Fred. Fred obviously meant enough to people, and the club or whatever to him, to get this award up and running!

[PAULJ5555]

How about, please welcome single and loaded or moneybags


When one partner dies are you instantly unmarried in the eyes of the law, if you remarry do you need to do anything legally about the dead partner. Jusy wondering.

[rash_decision]

HTP99 said:

Why does she have to be someones wife or widow, can't she just be introduced as herself, the person who she is as opposed to having a label?

FFS!

[IanCress]

rash_decision said:

HTP99 said:

Why does she have to be someones wife or widow, can't she just be introduced as herself, the person who she is as opposed to having a label?

FFS!

I think it was a fair question, given that it was asked before we found out she was announcing the winner of the fredswife boring golf trophy.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Isn't it about tense?

Remember Fred, this was Fred's wife
Remember Fred, this is Fred's widow.

You could use the above even after she's re-married

But you can't say "this is Fred's wife" because she isn't anymore, and could now be someone else's wife.

I could be wrong!

Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Thursday 9th August 13:23