Well firstly big high 5 to you ... if only other bosses had half your compation ... i cant tell you how amazing you are,and how much that means ... l lost my granddaughter to acute myeloid leukaemia two months ago ... and both my son and daughter in laws bosses have also, like you been unbelievably kind to them ... 

All to often we hear on here the opposite... of very little compation or empathy ... well all I'd say is just maybe working keeps her mind off the situation ... as just thinking it 24/7 becomes overwhelming... and if she has little ones .. like my daughter in law,  they keep us in reality and they need "normal" so hopefully they are in a weird way still helping ... 

I think if you just write an E mail as you can say more there .. and tell her you are supporting her in whatever she needs ... and if things change and she needs time off .. that fine to ... and say .. please let me know if there is anything else that may help you... I'm here ... and I'm listening ... 

I'm sure just knowing she can opt in and opt out if she needs to ...

If others were like you it would be a much kinder world ... chrissie x

I agree with Chrissie: 'Normal' is what some people need in this situation. I'm sure she understands that she can take time off whenever she needs it. You sound like a very decent employer.

It is sometimes hard to find the balance between regularly expressing concern, and just letting her carry on as though nothing has changed, because it is the normalcy that she needs. But I'm sure you will do this just fine. 

I think is what she needs at the moment and coming to work is a bit of a sanctuary