To want to help my mum find love?

[Tilly26]

My father died when I was young, 14 years ago. My mum has been single ever since, never so much as been on a date. She did express feelings towards my fathers best friend but he's happily single with no interest in settling down.

My mum is in her 60s and resigned to being single for the rest of her life. When I ask her if she'd like to meet someone she says she's happy as she is. Yet she's previously broken down to me numerous times saying how lonely she is and wishes she had someone. This intensified when I got married, she often made mean comments about me prioritising DH over her and said the same about another family member. She's had tantrums about it not being fair that everyobe else has someone but she's alone. (She has MH issues and this behaviour is usually during her lower times).

I feel so badly for her, we live very close so she has me and my DD, she also has some amazing, supportive friends, but as she says no one who is hers, who prioritises her above anyone else. She briefly tried online dating but wouldn't even reply to any messages she had, saying they weren't her type and the only person she's interested in is my dad so no one will live up to him.

AIBU to want to help her find someone so that she's not so lonely? I would never go behind her back, I just want to encourage her. No idea how to do this though as she's so stubborn that no one will be as good as my dad. Has anyone been in a similar situation and found someone? Sorry for rambling!

Awk bless you for thinking of your mum in this way..you sound like a very caring daughter...is there any groups nearby, like bingo, that your mum could socialise and maybe something could develope?

@Louise91417 thank you for replying. My mum and I are just really close and despite the relationship being strained at times due to her MH issues, I still consider her one of my best friends and I hate seeing her upset about being lonely. Unfortunately we live in a rural area with not much going on. The gym she goes to is women only and she has no male friends. She's very much against online dating now since watching far too many crime documentaries and I'm just stuck! I feel like she'll be forever alone which is so sad, she's such a loving person and deserves happines.

Try online dating for her!! Honestly it works.
My sister's friends mum was in her 70s & very lonely so my sister & her friend put her profile online.
She met a lovely slightly younger gentleman!
They had an amazing relationship for several years until she sadly died this year.
They traveled round the world together.

I think it was maybe Match they used, I can find out.

I understand her reservations about OLD as I'm a bit nervous too but I've known so many people of all ages meet their partners through it.

I live rural myself so i no you can be quite restricted. I would imagine that your mum is not alone in her age group and others in the area are probably feeling the same. Is there a hall nearby or pub that you could maybe organise something on a regular basis, you might get a small turnout until word gets out, might be worth having a look into. It might not lead to romance but certainly could lead to some friendships..