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)
The couple had many plans for 2021, including getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Their friends hope their deaths serve as a stark message about the importance of the vaccine.