What has Mrs. Helder's life been like since the death of her husband in the novel, Nocturne?

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Helder has been estranged from both her daughter and granddaughter. She dresses in her fading finery and drinks too much, often while listening to her old recordings. The only solace for her loneliness is an occasional glass of tea with Karen, her kindly neighbor. She had become a cliche; an impoverished old woman living alone with her cat.