Dogs nervous/anxious behavior does 180 after death of family member?

This dog wouldn't approach anyone but her owners, my MIL and FIL. Well, my father in law ped away 2 wks ago. We go over there today and this dog is approaching everyone. She's still nervous but she's allowing them to pat her. She even obeyed commands from me (as long as I kept my head turned away haha). None of this worked before, even with conditioning. Why would this cause a sudden change in her fearfulness? She's a 4yr old gsd. She's been scared to death of everyone ever since she was a pup.