If she had children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, then the answer to what she did all those years is answered. It is no small thing to create and nurture life. I will have accomplished less when I die. Nicely done. You captured the scene precisely and thoughtfully in a few well-chosen words. The only thing I would change (because I'm in the U.S.) is to put the comma inside the quote marks (that's a style thing), and, perhaps, add a comma: "I turned away, and my wife and I walked across the street to a Starbuck's." The latter only because, when I read the sentence allowed, I want to pause after the word "away." Death can be difficult to write aboout without turning maudlin, and you gracefully avoided that. Thank you for sharing this.