Britain’s Oldest Husband Dies Holding Wife’s Hand
Posted by: Kate Torgovnick
Filed in:
news
1:40PM, Wednesday September 2nd 2009
Prepare handkerchiefs. Remember Frank and Anita Milford Devon, Britain’s oldest married couple? The ones who met at a YMCA dance in 1926 and celebrated their 81st anniversary in May? Well, sadly, Frank passed away last night at age 101. “For the past three weeks or so he hasn’t been eating or drinking and I think we all realised he was ready to die,” the couple’s 76-year-old son said. “He knew it was his time and I think he simply died of old age.” He died holding wife Anita’s hand.
These two got hitched in 1928, and went to see a Charlie Chaplin flick after being pronounced man and wife. They survived a bomb during World War II that hit their house. In total, the couple had two children, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. And they say the key to a happy marriage is “give and take” and cuddling every morning. [Daily Mail]
If you can really handle a tearjerker, watch this last interview the couple did with the BBC. “How long do you think we can go on?” Anita asks. “Till I die,” said Frank.
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ChoJinn
wrote on September 2 2009 @ 02:10 pm: [report]
I don’t think they make ‘em like that anymore.
_jsw_
wrote on September 2 2009 @ 02:20 pm: [report]
That is an amazingly inspiring story. Oh, I’d love to be 76 when I have to deal with the death of a parent.
stephoney22
wrote on September 2 2009 @ 04:38 pm: [report]
Wow. Ditto @jsw. This is so beautiful! My grandparents are 91, been married more than 70 years. They are my inspiration for life and for my relationship. And the video is so cute-watch it!
retro chic
wrote on September 3 2009 @ 03:12 am: [report]
So touching. And how cute are *they?* I’d say laughing together was as big as “give and take” for them. Sweet, sweet, sweet.
@jsw: yeah, you want to put that off as long as possible.
Coral
wrote on September 3 2009 @ 03:38 pm: [report]
Aww that video and story was so cute and inspiring.
Oh my, I’m gonna be like 40-50 when my parents die. If I ever have kids, I want to have them young so they can have me around for a long time. Not that I want kids at all.