The Torah says to do Teshuva one day before you die. And since one does not know when he will die, it means he should do teshuva every day. If a person lives with that kind of cheshbon hanefesh, his death will be neither sudden or untimely. A life well lived, where each day is meaningful, ends at the exact time that the neshama has completed its tafkid on this Earth. Whether that is old or young. Suddenness can be a bracha: Happiness and joy up to the abrupt end. And very little suffering, if any. It is for the surviving family that shock is very painful.
Than being said, living every day with a cheshbon hanefesh, includes utilizing the gift of life fully, which includes taking care of one’s health to the best of their ability.
I am adding this note, just in case this thread was started as a reaction to the news of a “sudden, untimely” death:
Please be careful to be sensitive to surviving family members. It is highly inappropriate to imply that a particular death could have been prevented.
1. Only Hashem knows all the facts
2. Even if you know facts, you don’t know all of them.
3. One can not judge another’s degree of hishtadlus, and whether or not that had an impact on when they were niftar. Some reckless, unhealthy people have outlived some very conscientious, and health minded ones.
4. It is ona’as devorim to question the health, or behavioral decisions of a niftar in front of his/her surviving relatives.
May we all be blessed with long, healthy, and meaningful lives!