The family of a 71-year-woman, who was found dead on Friday yesterday spoke out of their disappointment over the media coverage of her death, saying she was a private person who would not have liked the attention.

A spokesman for the family of Eula Watson ? whose body was discovered on Friday although she had lain dead in her home for several days ? told his aunt would not have wanted her death to be front page news.

And, responding to comments made by Opposition MP Louise Jackson, he said politicians should exercise more sensitivity before using such an event to try and score political points.

In an article which appeared in yesterday?s , Mrs. Jackson said the fact that Ms Watson was not found for several days was illustrative of what may occur with other seniors due to gaping holes in Bermuda?s safety net.

Yesterday, however, a Watson family spokesman ? who did not want his name used ? said several family members had attempted to contact Ms Watson last week and while she had not returned calls, they did not consider that particularly unusual.

The family was concerned, he said, but believed Ms Watson might have been simply hard hit by the recent death of another family cousin.

?We had the funeral for our cousin Helen Hall on Tuesday and she didn?t show,? he said. ?We thought she maybe had took it hard because they were very close.

?It was not unusual not to hear from her for a couple of days despite the fact that we tried to get in touch with her.?

His aunt was healthy, he added, and a proud and private person.

Ms Watson lived alone in her Huntley Lane, Sandys, home and led an active life, he said.

?She was a perfectly healthy lady outwardly,? he said. ?So, she did not have any health problems per se. Also she had family support and she could support herself. She paid her rent. She wasn?t a senior alone, basically.

?We understand seniors issues are important down here, but at the same time, politicians have to understand that when they are dealing with a senior, this is a small community so there is going to be family. Regardless of what she (Mrs. Jackson) was trying to say, she used our aunt as an example.

?One of the things that seniors are concerned with is not just how they live but how they are going to die and my aunt would not have appreciated being on the front page.

?It was not in keeping with how she lived, she lived privately. For her to die publicly is not fitting to how she lived.?

In a statement released yesterday, the Watson family added: ?Our Aunt Eula was a mother, a grandmother, a sister and a friend but most of all she was loved.

?We are upset that her death has been used to further political agendas, absent of the sentiment of condolence. We wonder how one can claim to be concerned with the issues of seniors, and then in the same breath exploit them.

?The Watson family understands the issues of senior isolation and quality of life are serious, yet so is the dignity of death. Our aunt, her sisters and the remaining family deserve that much.

?We would ask that in the future, politicians and media outlets show more respect to seniors and their families during their time of mourning. Actions like these do not win you votes.?