Couple married for 62 years dies holding hands

In one of the most interesting love stories in history, Don and Maxine Simpson from Bakersfield, California, United States, died a few days ago with their hands firmly clutched to each other’s. The pair, who has been together for 62 years, was inseparable throughout their lifetime, maintaining that strong bond even to their deathbed. They died just four hours apart.

“I knew in my heart this is what’s supposed to happen – Grandma and grandpa are supposed to be together and grandma and grandpa are going to die together,” granddaughter Melissa Sloan, told KERO News.

Two weeks ago, Don broke his hip after zfalling from the stairs. Even though he was immediately rushed to the hospital for proper medical attention, he never really recovered from that accident. At the same time, the cancer his wife had been fighting also took a painful twist, with the disease sucking up every available strength in her by the minute.

“I told my sister on the phone, we got one shot to get them together,” Sloan said. Despite their condition, the couple demanded to be together. They were subsequently moved to a spare room in the family’s home where they stayed for a while before exiting the world together.

“We kept them together, and had their beds side-by-side,” Sloan said. “Gram woke up and saw him, and held hands and they knew that they were next to each other.”

Knowing she was in safe hands, Maxine soon took her last breath in the hands of the very man she had adored and loved for more than six decades.

“I walked them out with her body, walked back in to check on grandpa and he quit breathing as soon as her body left the room,” Sloan told KERO News. “He left with her, and they passed four hours apart from each other. It’s just amazing. It really is amazing. It’s a true love story,” she said.

Don, a civil engineer in North Dakota, was stationed in Bakersfield, where he met Maxine at a bowling alley. The two travelled the world together and adopted two songs along the way. It’s a love story that may remind you of a Hollywood movie, but it’s real.