British couple married for 70 years die of COVID-19 three days apart

A photograph of a British couple, Derek and Margaret Firth, who have been married for 70 years, has revealed the heartbreaking moment they held hands in their hospital beds just before they both died of COVID-19.

Derek and Margaret, both 91, died in Trafford General Hospital but had been able to see each other in the hospital before they passed away.

When Derek was admitted to Wythenshawe at a later time, he was moved to Trafford to be with his wife after doctors feared she didn’t have long to live.

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Their daughter Barbara Smith said that when Derek joined Margaret, she asked him ‘where’ve you been?’

“From then, she seemed to get better, it seemed to give her a boost,’ Barbara said. “It was quite a sad moment, but it was really lovely that they were both there together,” she added.

Derek died first on January 31, and Margaret passed away three days later.

The pair, who lived in Partington, were sweethearts since the age of 14 and got married in their teens.

Both were admitted after suffering with other health issues, but later caught Covid.

Explaining the process of how her father was transferred to be with his wife, Barbara said:

“I got a call to say we’re not happy with her, we think that she may go, would somebody like to visit. And of course, my dad jumped at the chance to go and see her in hospital.

“I think that is probably where he has contracted it, but to be honest, he probably wouldn’t have had it any other way. There’s no way he wasn’t going to not go and see her.

“They loved enjoying themselves and making the most of life,” Barbara said, adding that her parents celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last year.

Margaret and Derek married in May 1950, and lived in Partington for most of their lives. Margaret trained as a machinist and later worked as a cleaner at Broadoak School in Trafford, while Derek was initially a butcher and finished his working life as a storeman.

They had five children, later going on to have 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

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