Unvaxxed couple dies of COVID holding hands: ‘True definition of soulmates

 

Unvaxxed couple dies of COVID holding hands: ‘True definition of soulmates

William and Carol Stewart died on Dec. 30, 2021.

By Edward Era Barbacena

A husband and wife married four decades died “seconds” apart while holding hands.

William Stewart, 73, and wife Carol, 69, had been hospitalized with severe cases of COVID-19 — unmitigated by the fact that the New Hampshire couple was unvaccinated for the disease.

According to a GoFundMe page created by their nephew Tim, William and Carol passed away on Dec. 30 at a Salem hospital, after their condition took “a turn for the worse.”

William and Carol Stewart died on Dec. 30, 2021.

“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,” he wrote. “They fought a long and hard battle with covid, both intubated and on life support.”

Every one of their eight family members tested positive for coronavirus recently, ABC affiliate WMUR reported. After 44 years of marriage, Bill and Carol were on life support for eight days, and two weeks, respectively, during which Bill suffered from lung, kidney and renal failures, all complications of COVID-19.

Bill and Carol, both Massachusetts natives, first met as children before sparking a romance as adults 45 years ago, according to their obituaries from the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home in Salem. Bill, who worked as a machinist, and Carol, who transitioned from electronics to health care later in life, bonded over their love of being outdoors and with family.

Daughter Melissa Noke said that on the day they died, the hospital staff wheeled the elder lovebirds into the same room so they could die together.

“Placed both beds side by side, placing my mother’s hand into my father’s hand,” she told WMUR.

“As soon as they touched hands, my father took his last breath, and then my mother 10 seconds later.”

They are survived by many, including three daughters, Noke, Melinda Stewart and Malissa McCormick; and seven grandchildren, Evelina, Zavanna, William IV, Brady, Nevaeh, Anthony and Calleigh.