The 70 - year marriage couple died within minutes of COVID-19, three days before the vaccine

Dick Meek died at 89, and his wife Shirley at 87.

The first dose of vaccine was scheduled to be given on January 19th, the day Dick would celebrate his 90th birthday. He and Shirley met in high school and they've been together ever since.

In December last year, they marked the 70th anniversary of their marriage.

They left five children, 13 grandchildren, and 28 great - grandchildren. According to family members, they lived happy family life.

They were not the same as their peers. They were very, very healthy, living people. They left us so fast -- ”, their daughter Debbie Howell said, CNN reports.

Tests conducted on December 26 showed that they were positive in Corleone.

They had symptoms and initially thought of a cold. Days passed, and symptoms became more pronounced for which they were tested.

Dick was hospitalised on January 2nd, and his wife two days later.

As their daughter Debbie says, there were days when they were optimistic about their rapid recovery, but lung problems were growing from day to day.

Realizing the situation that it might be their last days, family members asked the hospital to put them in a room.

We didn't want to part, because the most important thing in their lives was to be together. We wanted them to be able to hold each other's hands. We wanted them to listen to their favorite” music, Debby said.

Shirley died first, and Dick died a few minutes later.

Family members say they were comforted by the fact that they died holding each other's hands and expressing gratitude to the hospital staff for the care and respect shown for two weeks.