Couple, both 100, die hours apart after 79 years of marriage

A couple in Ohio died only hours apart, after 79 years of marriage, and spent their final moments together holding hands.

Hubert and Jane Malicote - both 100 years old - were married in June 1943 and spent almost eight decades happily married, according to PEOPLE.

Their son Sam Malicote, 76, confirmed to The Dayton Daily News that his parents passed away last week within 20 hours of each other.

He also shared with the outlet that the family had enjoyed Thanksgiving together before June became unwell and entered hospice care.

Hubert visited his wife on November 25 and "fell apart", according to his family. He was also admitted to the hospice where he remained unconscious for days in the same room as his wife, and their hands were placed together.

Sam said that his father then died from a "broken heart" on November 30 at 9:15PM and his mother passed away just 20 hours later on December 1, at 5:40PM.

As stated in Hubert's obituary, their passing marked the end of "their 81-year love story".

Sam told the news outlet: "I feel sad, but I shouldn't. Who can expect to live a life like that? They went out together."

The couple celebrated their 79th wedding anniversary on June 8. June turned 100 on July 13 with Hubert also reaching the milestone 10 days later on June 23.

After their marriage in 1943, the couple spent two years living apart as Hubert was stationed in Hawaii during the Second World War, but June was there to greet him at the station upon his return.

Hubert was in the Navy and the pair decided to tie the knot when he was home on leave for 13 days, as they could never be sure if he would return home from war.

The couple welcomed three children throughout their life, as well as seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, per their obituaries.

They sat down with The Washington Post in September to reveal the secrets to keeping love alive across the decades and enjoying such a wonderful life together.

Hubert said: "Never criticize each other. Whenever she smiled, all of those problems would go away."

Speaking to Today, he added: "We didn't go through life without problems, but we would never do anything to hurt each other. If there's controversy, you might have to walk away for a couple of minutes. Then you come back in and change the subject or you work it out."

Great advice from a couple who shared a life full of love. Our thoughts are with their family at this time.

Featured image credit: Svetlana Gustova / Alamy