Mrs. Churchill, after being disliked at least twenty-five years, was now spoken of with compassionate allowances. In one point she was fully justified. She had never been admitted before to be seriously ill. The event acquitted her of all the fancifulness, and all the selfishness of imaginary complaints.
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 45. These are Austen’s satiric observations on what happens when a disliked person like Mrs. Churchill dies. Chronically ill for years, Mrs. Churchill was guardian and aunt to Frank and was very possessive of him. Her death puts to rest the claims that her ill-health was a deceptive ploy to prevent Frank from visiting his father.