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Final Heartwarming Words Of Elderly Couple Married For 71 Years

Final Heartwarming Words Of Elderly Couple Married For 71 Years

They died within four minutes of each other.

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay

Can you die of a broken heart? It seems like there's been so many stories of elderly couples dying within days, hours, even minutes of each other. Maybe after you've spent so long with someone, the idea of carrying on without them is too much for your heart to bear.

This elderly couple died within four minutes of each other.

Vera Russell, 91, and her husband Wilf, 93, met 75 years ago. They got engaged before Wilf joined the RAF during World War II. When he got back, they married. They spent every day and night together. In fact, the first night they spent apart was when Wilf was diagnosed with dementia late last year and he was moved into a nursing home.

Soon, Wilf was unable to recognise Vera when she visited and her own health took a bad turn.

Wilf and Vera
Wilf and Vera

Wilf and Vera on their wedding day in 1945 (Credit: SWNS)

Wilf passed away at Magna Care Home in Wigston, Leicestershire at 6.50am on Wednesday. Vera died four minutes later at 6:54am in a hospital three miles away.

Granddaughter Stephanie Welch told the Leicester Mercury: "My grandad was diagnosed with dementia a year ago and he had to go into the care home a couple of months back.

"My nan went to see him recently and he didn't recognise her at all - her health started deteriorating from that day.

Care home
Care home

Wilf passed away at Wigston's Magna Care Home (Credit: Google)

"I went to visit her at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Sunday and she opened her eyes and asked me where Wilf was.

"The last thing she said to me was, 'We're a right pair, aren't we'.

"He died at 6.50am and she died at 6.54am without being told about Wilf. I think she was waiting for him to go. She was broken-hearted."

The couple had three children, all sons, and then five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Leicester Royal Infirmary
Leicester Royal Infirmary

Vera passed away at Leicester Royal Infirmary (Credit: PA)

Stephanie added: "Vera very much spoke for them as a couple and Wilf went along with whatever she said. Maybe that's why they lasted so long.

"I remember they would always spend months and months trying to repair things rather than waste money on ever buying anything new.

"They were also very family-oriented and really loved us all."

The family are now planning a joint burial for the couple.

Featured Image Credit: Facebook

Topics: Couple