When did Cary's husband die?

I just watched the movie again and asked myself how long it was since Cary's husband died when the story began. Her daughter talked about the fact that it was about time she stopped wearing that "black velvet" & Cary said to Harvey that she wasn't ready to marry again (probably meaning it, probably just saying it because she didn't want to marry Harvey in particular). I don't know how it was in the 50s, but my Grandma wore black for about 1 1/2 years when my Grandpa died some time ago.

Any opinions about that? :)

Sarah