How do I respond to this text message?

[MaureenMLove]

I've just got a text from someone, who obviously knows me, because it said, 'Morning Maureen', but the number is not in my phone book. It then says, 'just want to let you know that mum passed away on Saturday....'

How do I respond to that? Who ever it is, knows I've read it, because it's an iMessage. I need to say something, but how? I don't want to say, 'who are you obviously. It needs to be delicate. I am wracking my brains to think if anyone I know had a poorly mum or could it just have been sudden? I'm of an age when so many of my friends have parents over 75 tbh.

I've had messages from numbers I don't recognise. I just say I'm really sorry but I have a new phone and lost half my contacts, please let me know who you are. They won't be offended.

@MaureenMLove i'd ring the number and hope that you recognise the persons voice. if not i'd be honest and say im really sorry i dont have your name in my phone. they wont be offended, would you? not everyone stores numbers.

Could you save the pic and do a search of the pic on google?

And sorry to be the sceptic - but it might also be worth double checking on snopes or google to see if there are any scams using that form of words... if not then great but better to know if it is.

Also just typing look up telephone number [nnnn] can help sometimes.

Is it likely to be someone where you know the ‘mum’ rather than the texter, but they might not realise that you don’t recognise them - an old work colleague for example?

Please don’t phone them! I can’t think of anything worse than a friend (?) of my mum’s phoning if my mum had just died.

Just message them Im sorry but I dont recognise your number.
Could you please tell me who you are,sorry.

I'll leave it now. I've sent the message. Best friend and DD(23) don't know them from the picture on WhatsApp, although DD thinks she recognises her. Going to text a work friend now. Her mum died about 5 years ago, so I know it's not her, but she might know who it is.

Just can't think that anyone at work would think I'm worthy of texting tbh. I work in a school, so I won't see any of them for another week. I'd be the last person on their mind.

I would think rather than being your mother's generation it may be one of your friends that has died and this is their daughter, your daughter's generation, getting in touch to let you know. That's why she's not in your address book

Yes I think Lizzie may have it. It is likely to be the daughter of one of your friends 😢

Is text back

"that's awful news and I'm sorry to hear. Do keep me up to date with funeral arrangements as I'd like to pay my respects"

Then when they send a location it may help.

I don't have any advice but hope you find out who it is soon!

Bit strange if you don't recognise the watsapp picture...

Why dont you just phone back.

Mystery solved.

About a year ago, a very lovely TA at school, had a stroke. I am the person that takes calls from staff to say they won't be in, so naturally her daughter rang me and left a message. I sent her a personal message on my own phone to say how sorry I was and asked her to send her mum best wishes from me and the rest of the school.

Sadly my colleague never recovered and unfortunately it was her, who passed away on Saturday.

Strangely, she had just literally popped into my mind as a possible, when her daughter text me back.

I have sent a much more personal message now and asked if she can let me know of arrangements. She replied thanking me for my kind words and said they meant a lot, as did the school to her mum, so she would love to see me at the funeral..

Thanks for your help. I know how you all like a proper close on a thread.

Oh that's a shame. Sorry for your loss too OP