Teresa and Isaac Vatkin passed away holding hands only 40 minutes after each other - just like Allie and Noah in The Notebook
An elderly couple who were married for 69 years died only 40 minutes apart in the same hospital room whilst holding hands.
Teresa and Isaac Vatkin, 89 and 91, were both unresponsive and breathing shallowly at the same hospital in their home of Skokie in Illinois, US, causing the family to have wheel their beds into the same room so that they could be together and hold hands.
Even more heartbreaking is the fact that Teresa was suffering from dementia - so the couple's final moments echo the closing scenes of famous romance film The Notebook, starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling as Allie and Noah.
The couple's family positioned their hands so that they would know they weren't alone. Granddaughter Debbie Handler told The Daily Herald: "I didn't want them to be scared. I thought maybe if they knew the other was there, it would help."
Teresa passed away first from her battle with dementia. The couple's hands were separated, and she was taken from the room.
Just 40 minutes later, Isaac passed away too.
Their daughter, Clara Gesklin, told the congregation at their joint funeral on Monday that: "Their love for each other was so strong, they simply could not live without each other."
Rabbi Barry Schechter, leading the service, said: "They were always in love, literally to the end. To the last second."
It has been known that couples who have been together for many years may pass away soon after the other, but it is very rare that they should both go within minutes. Debbie said of their simultaneous deaths: "It's a coincidence. Or is it?"
Isaac and Teresa met when they were both still in their home country of Argentina. They married in 1947 and moved to Skokie and had three children - Clara, Daniel and Leo.
Sadly, Teresa developed Alzheimer's disease - which has been a recent topic of discussion for many Emmerdale fans, as the character of Reverand Ashley Bishop suffered from the disease.
She was hospitalised, but that didn't stop them from being together. After her diagnosis, Isaac determinedly learned how to use a computer so that he could research possible cures. Once it became clear that Teresa would have to move out for specialised care, he would visit her ever single day.
And even though he was suffering from his own health problems, he held on for the love of his life.
Their grandson, William Vatkin, said: "You didn't want to see them go, but you couldn't ask for anything more."
Their son Leo told us: "It's been a bit of a whirlwind. Grieving for two parents, as you could imagine with all the emotions, heartaches and sadness is not easy.
"It's a detailed story. This passing of my parents has turned into a viral sensation. This is a real time celebration of our loved ones. I couldn't be more blessed to have been raised by them."
"They transcended the bounds of what true love represented til their last moments. They left us together and are now angels dancing above me. They suffered long enough and we couldn't be happier that they're now in peace. Together in eternity."
"They made vows in 1947. And it lasted 69 years. While I at first was saying that they finished til death do us part, I now realise that death did not part them.
"We all hope to have a lasting love like this and leave with our best friend onto the next journey in life. If all this brings one couple, going through a rough period, closer together, then that'll have been worth all this attention."
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Truly heartbreaking. We all wish for a love like Teresa and Isaac's.
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Elderly couple who were married for 71 years died just FOUR minutes apart