Thank you so much Charmion and keberoxu for your kind and understanding words.
I've never had a female cat, but I have found Siamese to be less long-lived than British ones. My British Shorthair was 17 when he died, but most of my Siamese have been between 12 and 15 at the most. The various strays I've taken in (and who can refuse a hungry,lost cat at the door?) were of indeterminate ages.
My husband has often talked to ours in Malinke, and funnily enough they seem to understand. He rang his mum in Africa this morning to tell her Minty has died. She was astonished to discover he was talking about a cat, not a person. (Cats over there finish up in the pot!) She didn't quite know how to react, so began reciting Muslim prayers for the soul of the departed. I did smile when I heard him replying "Amen. Amen. Amen."
Still feeling sad, but still sure we did the right thing.