An unvaccinated married couple died seconds apart while holding hands after battling Covid-19 for several weeks.
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In Sickness
The New Hampshire lovebirds, William Stewart, 73, and wife Carol, 69, had been hospitalized after being infected with the coronavirus.
According to a GoFundMe page started by their nephew, Tim Stewart, the pair succumbed to the disease on December 20 at a hospital in Salem.
It is with the heaviest of hearts to share that last night at 9.12pm Bill and Carol peacefully passed away hand in hand with their loved ones bedside. They fought a long and hard battle with covid, both intubated and on life support.
William and Carol were on life support for eight days and two weeks respectively. The husband had lung, kidney and renal failures due to complications brought on by Covid-19.
Till Death Did Them Part
On the last day of their lives, staff of the hospital wheeled the elderly lovebirds into the same room, so they could spend their final moments together.
Their daughter, Melissa Noke told WMUR:
Placed both beds side by side, placing my mother’s hand into my father’s hand. As soon as they touched hands, my father took his last breath, and then my mother 10 seconds later.
All eight members of the Stewart family are reported to have recently tested positive for the coronavirus.
The two, both natives of Massachusetts, first met as children and begun a romantic relationship as adults; that was 45 years ago, according to their obituaries.
Bill worked as a machinist and Carol was in the health care industry after transitioning from electronics. They bonded over their love of family and the outdoors.
They are survived by three daughters and seven grandchildren. Tim wrote:
I truly believe that the power of prayers and all the kind words that have been shared over the past few weeks is what kept them fighting. It also kept us hopeful for the best.
