TRIBUTES have been pouring in to the Derby Telegraph following the death of a Derby couple, devoted to each other for 70 years, who died 10 minutes apart.
Harry and Mavis Stevenson lived at St Werburgh's House care home in Spondon where they had celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
They both worked at Celanese and spent most of their adult life living in Chaddesden after Harry returned from fighting in the Second World War.
Harry, 88, and Mavis, 89, spent their final years at St Werburgh's. Mr Cresswell said Harry wanted to move in with Mavis because they could not bear living apart.
Harry had still been very active but Mavis had become more frail and was house-bound for the last five years. Mavis passed away on Monday, November 3.
Their nephew, Stephen Cresswell, said the nurses told Harry "in the most gentle way" that she had died. He said: "The nurses said he shed a few tears and it was nothing dramatic. Then they went outside and returned to find Harry had died. It was just a few minutes later.
"It's very fitting. They had such a close bond and their romance was huge. It was the greatest bond you could imagine."
After reading the story on the Derby Telegraph website, reader Elaine Dean said: "What a super story and what a shame (that) more couples these days don't put in the effort a bit more. No-one said marriage was easy. RIP."
Heather VandeBroucke said: "What a lovely story about a devoted couple, I saw their obituary in the newspaper and thought what a fitting end to their lives to pass away together like that."
Angela Adams said: "True love never dies."
Boudica Rachael Scott said: "Awww bless them, my nana and granddad were 10 days apart. True love"
Kenneth Moreton said: "My mum and dad were devoted to each other, both died within two years, both aged 56, a long-lasting marriage full of love and dying together is the greatest gift in this world."
Sharon Chambers said: "What a lovely story, had a tear in my eyes when I finished reading it. God bless, RIP."
And Alison Parry said: "RIP to a devoted couple."
