With all respect to your mother, my granny died at the age of 96 on a diet that included lard in everything. I, on the other hand, had a bypass at age 50. You play the hand you're dealt, I think.
Personally, I think part of what kept my granny alive so long was that she never ate a thing with preservatives in it until she was probably 80.
Both of my grandfather's lived into their upper 90's, and everything they ate was cooked in lard. I agree about preservatives. Making something taste like something it isn't (turkey ham, turkey bacon, etc.) cannot be good for you. I would rather eat REAL food (butter, eggs, etc.) than eat "food" with chemicals made to taste like the real thing! I'm with you, Shery! Give me real butter!