Woman Finds Touching Text From Late Father About Her

Mary Hackett discovers an old message her dad sent to a friend praising her, leaving her in tears.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Mary Hackett, a 31-year-old woman from Omaha, Nebraska, was left in tears after discovering an old text message her late father had sent to a friend in 2018 expressing how proud he was of her. Hackett has been grieving the sudden loss of her father, who passed away last September, and has been using social media to connect with others experiencing similar losses. The rediscovered message, which described Hackett as an "absolute magnificent young woman" that her father was "very proud" to call his daughter, provided Hackett with comfort and validation during this difficult time.

Why it matters

The story highlights the importance of cherishing the memories and kind words shared by loved ones, even after they've passed away. Hackett's experience underscores how social media can be a valuable tool for those grieving to find community and support, and how the digital footprint of our relationships can provide solace in times of loss.

The details

Hackett, who was very close to her father, would regularly spend time with him doing activities they both enjoyed like playing pickleball and gardening. After his sudden passing in September, Hackett has been struggling to cope with the loss, turning to social media to connect with others experiencing grief. It was on social media that Hackett rediscovered an old text message her father had sent to his girlfriend in 2018, where he described Hackett as an "absolute magnificent young woman" that he was "very proud" to call his daughter. Hackett was deeply touched by the message, which provided validation of their close relationship.

  • Hackett's father passed away in September.
  • Hackett rediscovered the text message in her Snapchat memories in February 2026.

The players

Mary Hackett

A 31-year-old woman from Omaha, Nebraska who is grieving the sudden loss of her father.

Hackett's father

Hackett's late father, who passed away in September, was very close to his daughter and regularly spent time with her doing activities they both enjoyed.

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What they’re saying

“My father was very loyal, generous and reliable. No matter what we are doing he would always make it fun.”

— Mary Hackett (Newsweek)

“I just spent a couple hours with Mary. We had a great time, a very good conversation and the conclusion is we are very very close to each other. She is an absolute magnificent young woman and I am very proud to be her father.”

— Hackett's father (Newsweek)

The takeaway

Hackett's experience underscores the importance of cherishing the memories and kind words shared by loved ones, even after they've passed away. The rediscovered text message from her father provided Hackett with comfort and validation during her grieving process, highlighting how the digital footprint of our relationships can offer solace in times of loss.