It's a shame that superstition lead your uncle to this point. What's even sadder to me is that there will likely be others, like your mom, who will continue to rationalize it to the bitter end rather than admit that they may have been mistaken. Denial, especially in the case of something that one is so fervently emotionally attached to, is powerful.
I'm glad you see it for what it is.
I'm glad you see it for what it is.