How do you really address a widow?

micheaux

I've looked online and found different things, which one is correct ?
Can you go wrong with Ms. ? Or should it be Mrs. even though they are widows, since they aren't divorced just widowed ?

JHS16

I would go with Ms.  It's always safe. 

micheaux

Yeah that's what my Grandmother said as well, then I read somewhere that people may get offended. The Ms does take the guest work out of it.

thanks

JanoBean75

My grandmother prefers Mrs. Luz Sanchez. That is, instead of Mrs. Juan Sanchez, she goes with her first name.

banana468

Technically a widow is Mrs. Husband'sfirstname Husband's lastname.

And each widow I know prefers something different.

My grandmother goes for the old school way.  She was married for over fifty years and her husband is waiting for her in heaven.  She absolutely considers herself to be a married woman.

My aunt, her daughter in-law was widowed five years ago.  She goes by Ms.

When in doubt ask and don't assume. 

micheaux

good point banana. thanks knotties !