Scots couple married for nearly 60 years die of Covid-19 within 24 hours of each other

A Scottish couple who were married for 57 years died of coronavirus within a day of each other.

Maureen Sharp and husband William, known to pals as Vic, both aged 74, were taken to hospital on 5 April but died the following week.

The couple wed when they were aged just 17 years old, and celebrated 57 years of marriage on Hogmanay.

They had two daughters and four grandchildren.

Fife couple Vic and Maureen Sharp died of Covid-19 within a day of each other

Retired miner Vic had a tumour in one of his lungs but as it was not growing, chemotherapy had been stopped and he had been due back in hospital this month for a check-up.

Maureen had “slight” chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), her family believes.

A GP visited their Fife home on 2 April, and found Vic couldn’t speak but attributed it to a chest infection.

Their daughter, Yvonne, 53, said: “Dad hadn't been feeling well for about a week. Mum was quicker, within a couple of days.

The much-loved couple, who died earlier this month, had been married for 57 years

“They got taken to hospital on Sunday and Mum died on 8 April and dad died on 9 April, less than 24 hours apart.

“Dad didn’t have a fever when the ambulance came. Mum did.

“The doctor was in a few days before and said it was a chest infection.

“Dad couldn’t speak for a couple of days, and Mum had a sore back and fatigue.

“They were great people and very family-orientated. They always looked after my sister Linda and I.

“We can’t even physically comfort each other right now. This is just the worst thing ever.

“After this is all done we’ve decided that we’re going to have something at the cemetery again and then a big celebration after for them both.

“They don’t deserve just six people at their funeral. They deserve better than that.

“I feel that the community is in shock right now.

“I never thought it would be my own mum and dad. This shows that this virus can happen to anyone.”

Maureen died on 8 April and Vic died the following day, both at the Victoria Hospital in Dunfermline, Fife.

The couple lived in the nearby village of Oakley.

Vic was a life-long Oakley United supporter, and the club paid tribute to him.

A committee member said: “It’s very, very sad.

“The football club is gutted that this has happened to both him and his wife. It’s a tragic loss.

“We are heartbroken that we’ll never see Vic at any of our matches again.

“When it happens to someone you know in the village it really sends the message home that it can happen to anyone.

“Everyone at the club would like to express their sympathies to the family right now.”

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