Was her uncle, Gregory, in this?

What a very strange character he was in that he had genital surgery but continued to live as a male with his/her wife. Although, it may actually be somewhat common with transgenders who have trouble at passing as female that they appear more normal to people as a male so they live most of their life that way.

I don't think he committed suicide though. If I remember well he died of a heart attack while in jail.