Mom passed first, said Debbie Howell, a daughter to the couple. They were holding hands. The nurse put mom’s head on my dad’s shoulder and she said to dad ‘Dick it’s OK to let go now. Shirley’s waiting for you’ and he passed within minutes.
Howell and her sisters Vicki Harper and Kelly Meek told WBNS precautions were eased to celebrate the couple’s 70th wedding anniversary on Dec. 22, and then the pair developed colds. After their conditions quickly deteriorated at the hospital, and no treatment options were left, the hospital staff agreed to let the couple share a room so they could be with one another.
Holding hands, couple married 70 years dies from COVID-19 minutes apart By WBNS Staff | January 21, 2021 at 3:13 AM CST - Updated January 21 at 3:13 AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WBNS) - An Ohio couple who had just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary died from COVID-19 within minutes of each other. Their family hopes their deaths serve as a warning to others.
Sisters Debbie Howell, Vicki Harper and Kelly Meek gathered on a Zoom call Tuesday to remember their parents, Dick and Shirley Meek, who died from the coronavirus. It was also Dick’s birthday, and he would have turned 90. Shirley was 87. Dick and Shirley Meek, ages 89 and 87, died from COVID-19 within minutes of each other. Their deaths came less than a month after their 70th wedding anniversary. (Source: Meek Family, WBNS via CNN)
Dick and Shirley Meek, ages 89 and 87, died at Columbus hospital on January 16
Family members said they dropped their guard to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on December 22
They were admitted to a Columbus hospital where they tested positive for the coronavirus on January 8
The couple died together on January 16, while holding hands
Childhood sweethearts had a love story for the ages, family members said