I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that someone took the time to let you know that you made such a difference to your mother.

I agree that generation seemed to think affection equaled weakness in some way. My grandfather married my grandmother and had a son when he was 65. My uncle is three years older than I am and we were more like brother and sister. When he passed, his older siblings from his father's first marriage talked about how this son was the joy of his life. I remember thinking "wow, being the unpopular one must have really stunk." I cannot remember him showing any form of affection/kindness/pleasantness to anyone, particularly my uncle. They were under the impression he was a "normal" father to this child by the way he discussed him with his other children.

I think this goes to show you that you warmed her heart just by being you and although she had no idea how to express it to you, she let someone else know.