Wow! I know how you feel and I'm sorry for your shock.

You're right, it does suck, but no one ever promised it would be fair. Years ago, I lost my dearest friend to a parachuting accident...six weeks after she had her first child. I've still not gotten over it in some ways.

Every now and then, I have to remind myself that 99.9% of the world would kill for the worst of my troubles...and although they're real to me, it could be much worse.

I hope that your co-worker's family recovers well and finds a way to cope with this tragic loss.