Truly, terribly sorry to learn of this,
@Witty_Sarcasm - Man! Talk about a "Shock?" I can't imagine all that you're going through right now, just in terms of... the whirlwind of emotions, and so on--as you've laid out so clearly & precisely/concisely: stated so plainly & openly- here (and now). Just the loss, sounds all so tragic. Because it was so sudden, and unexpected. I'm just so sorry for all that you're having to go through & to experience right now. Yes, you worry for the others. All of them, the parties involved, and the implications. But to no longer have that relationship, that you've had. And the connection that you've shared, and so on & so forth. It must be a lot to bear. I hope everything will turn out positively, in the end, for your nephew. It must be excruciatingly hard for him now, and just so devastating, because in a way, he's like losing, the one who was raising him (or fulfilling that 'role,' any~way) *even though it is different, as you say*
So it is all complex, and complicated. Not a nice curve ball for life to be throwing at you, or more like knucke ball, or screw~* // You get, the point of it all, anyway & the feeling/(s) expressed. Yes, the cats will be potentially facing an uncertain future. So that is concerning, but I guess, out of your hands. So, not a lot you can do in or on, their end for them, I'd suppose. Again, sorry for every-one involved, and in cluding her, and her loss of such a premature life, or ending to/(or of~*!). Hope that, or may She, rest in peace. So tragic, and unfortunate. You take great care of yourself, and just try to believe that, you'll get through this. Even if it seems, so hard & perilously hopeless, or unknowable, now~*.