As an inveterate reader of obituaries, I take pleasure in the nuances of what's left unsaid in descriptions of the recently departed. A paid death notice in Thursday's New York Times provided a sterling example:
SOBEL — Rhea, 82, on September 16th, 2014. Beloved wife of Harold for sixty years.; treasured mother and best friend of Suzanne and Stacey; loving sister of Ira; loving sister-in-law of Elaine and Morris; cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews; grandmother to her number one grand-dog Joey. Rhea lived life to the fullest, and was a true friend to those she liked. (Emphasis added.)
This brief description is really all that is needed to describe Mrs. Sobel, who was undoubtedly a formidable woman and a lot of fun to know — if she accepted you as a friend.