Grief doesn’t keep time like the rest of the world. For Carolyne, the second wife of the late Mugithi legend John DeMathew, the passing of six years has done little to ease the weight of his absence.
This week, she visited his grave quietly, laid flowers, and left in tears. How long does it really take for the heart to heal from such a loss?
John DeMathew, whose music touched many across Kenya, died in a car accident in 2019. Since then, his family life has sometimes made headlines not for his music, but for the struggles left behind. In a post shared on Facebook (link here), Carolyne opened up about her ongoing grief, reminding people that time doesn’t always fix everything.
Over the years, Carolyne has spoken about how difficult things became after John’s death. Though she expected the family to remain united, things turned difficult. She mentioned being locked out of property discussions and felt forgotten in decisions that affected her and her children.
These are real-life struggles many widows face, even when the person they lost was publicly celebrated. Her story was previously highlighted on Tuko.co.ke, showing how grief can be made heavier by unexpected turns.
Even with these challenges, Carolyne has kept going. She’s raised her children, found ways to support herself, and continues to keep John’s memory alive in her own way.
Laying flowers wasn’t just about remembering it was about holding on to something deeply personal.
Grief is different for everyone. For some, the world moves on quickly. But for others, like Carolyne, every year is a reminder not just of loss, but of love that once shaped daily life.
By Nairobi