I am very sorry for your loss. And, yes, a death like that really puts things into perspective. For example, go watch Entertainment Tonight and see how pointless all of the things they talk and how pointless they are compared to the realities of life.
I used to hate Valentine's Day basically because I was always alone on it. I recall being in a particularly bad mood one year in college and blaring the Dead Kennedy's one Valentines Day because I was so depressed.
I'm married now, and I look forward to Valentine's Day as a day to take a little extra time to tell my wife how much I love her and how much I appreciate her.
It's really only pointless unless you decide to use it to make your point.