Death in a foreign land

On January 9, her 75th birthday on our 20th visit, in our 54th year of marriage, the love of my life, Cathy Braun, passed away with me here in the condo in Ixtapa.

I am posting this in the hope that it may help some of the wonderful bulletin board community that have helped and entertained me with posts here.

My daughter arrived next day from Ottawa and my son stayed home in Winnipeg, both to help navigate bureaucracy in each country. I won’t bore you with too many details but I will say this:

Do not travel outside the country without LONG-FORM CERTIFICATES OF BIRTH AND MARRIAGE.

It has been incredibly difficult for my son to get those documents. Proof of death and proof of his relationship to Cathy are required before birth and marriage certificates can be issued in Manitoba. Death certificates cannot be issued in Mexico until apostilled birth and marriage certificates are presented. Yes, that is a catch-22. But my children have been resourceful, friends both here and back home have been incredibly supportive and politicians have helped to cut red tape.

We expect to be able to return home two weeks after her death.

Be forewarned and forearm yourselves.

Stuart Braun