A couple together for 65 years died just a few hours from one another while lying next to each other last week, The Independent reported.
They were also both born in 1924 just one day apart in Clonmel, Ireland.
Máire and Gerry Ryan were 17 when they met and fell in love in school and had been inseparable since then. They married at the age of 26. Gerry went on to join the armed forces and served in the Defence Forces on the Curragh, Co Kildare. Máire started her career as a teacher and climbed up to deputy principal of the Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge.
In 2017, they moved to Curragh Lawn Nursing Home for health reasons. There staff got to witness their remarkable love for each other even after so much time together. "They were never apart for any length of time and had a wonderful relationship," Val Ryan, owner and director of nursing at Curragh Lawn Nursing Home told The Independent. "Gerry told the staff working at Curragh Lawn Nursing Home that they had a relationship built on respect for each other."
Máire’s sweet husband would recite poetry to her and even sing traditional Irish songs.
On February 18, Gerry felt his childhood sweetheart needed some extra tender loving care. So he asked staff to move their beds close so they could hold hands. The following day the couple both passed away holding hands.
"Although we were all heartbroken to say goodbye to them as they were such an inspirational couple we cannot be anything but happy that they are holding hands together once again," Ryan is quoted as saying by The Independent.
