An octogenarian couple from Ohio who just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary died of COVID-19, just a few minutes apart, holding hands.
Family members said Dick and Shirley Meek, 89 and 87, let their guard down to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on December 22.
They were admitted to a Columbus hospital, where they tested positive for coronavirus on January 8, according to Vicki Harper, one of her daughters.
They died together on January 16. Shirley died first, followed by Dick a few minutes later. The couple never stopped holding hands.
Their deaths occurred just three days before the scheduled time to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, family members said.
Dick and Shirley Meek, 89 and 87, died in a hospital in Columbus on January 16, weeks after celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary
The couple died a few minutes apart while holding hands
The couple ended up being separated into rooms on different floors of the hospital and their conditions began to decline rapidly, Harper told WBNS.
‘We asked [the hospital staff] for them to be together and they said absolutely, ‘said Harper.
Daughter Debbie Howell told the outlet that Shirley Meek died first, while the couple’s favorite song, When the River Meets the Sea, by John Denver, played in the background.
‘The nurse put the mother’s head on my father’s shoulder and said to the father’ Dick, it’s okay to let go now. Shirley is waiting for you ‘and he died within minutes,’ she said.
The Meeks were scheduled to receive their coronavirus vaccines a few days later
Family members said the Meeks were childhood sweethearts who built a ‘legacy of love’
Family members said their story should serve as a cautionary tale for others during the pandemic
In an obituary posted at the Fischer funeral home, family members wrote that the couple had a ‘love story forever’.
“They had a fairy tale ending. Our hearts are broken, but we are at peace knowing that they will be together forever ‘, says the obituary.
Family members said the Meeks were childhood boyfriends who built ‘a legacy of love’ for their five children, 13 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
‘Theirs was a life of adventure – from skydiving to zip lines, their bucket list was amazing!’ the obituary reads.
Family members said that throughout their lives the couple made time for daily meetings and a toast at 3 pm.
Family members said the Meeks lived a life of adventure and traveled the world
Family members said the Meeks had a wild list of adventures, including skydiving and zip lines
“We are devastated to lose both at the same time. But, we are blessed that they walked together, hand in hand, through the Gates of Heaven to Eternity ‘, says the obituary.
Edwin Meek, who served as an Air Force sergeant during the Korean War, was born in Coshocton and would have turned 90 on Tuesday.
His children described him as a skilled carpenter who used to make gifts by hand to family and friends.
“He was a romantic at heart and always put others before himself,” says the obituary.
Shirley Meek, described as ‘the reserved’, was a homemaker and quietly donated to charities every month, the family said.
“She was an avid consumer and loved to dress to the max for all occasions, and her sense of style was admired by everyone,” says the obituary.
Family members requested that donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project or the Alzheimer’s Association instead of flowers.
‘COVID took their lives from us, so we beg everyone to be safe,’ said the family.
