Tommy Pilling, who garnered fame after he and his wife, Maryanne Pilling, became the first couple with Down syndrome in the United Kingdom to marry, has died from COVID-19.
The 62-year-old, who had also been previously diagnosed with dementia, passed away on New Year's Day after a brief battle with coronavirus, reported Today.
The British couple married in 1995 after meeting at a day facility for individuals with learning difficulties. At the time, many critics doubted their relationship would last. In July, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
But just months later, Pilling was diagnosed with the novel virus and hospitalized on December 10th. Three weeks later, on January 1st, Pilling’s family announced he passed away due to coronavirus complications after being in isolation.
“Our beautiful Tommy peacefully passed … after a battle with covid pneumonia,” his sister-in-law Lindi Newman wrote on the couple’s Facebook page. “Thank you for showing me what unconditional love was, I will remember your beautiful ways forever, your pure heart, your love of music, Elvis, your dancing. Your positive attitude and how you appreciated the small things. Thank you for making Maryanne so happy.”
One week before being hospitalized, the couple shared a sweet video of themselves dancing. "Tommy is having a good day today!" the clip was captioned.
After Tommy was hospitalized, Maryanne, 49, moved across the street to live with her mother, Linda Martin.
Martin also left an emotional message regarding her son-in-law’s death on the couple’s Facebook page.
“Our darling man Tommy has left a vast hole in our lives that no one will ever fill. I considered him as my son although he was my son-in-law,” Martin wrote.
“I have never regretted a single moment of the 30 years he was in my life and care, he brought so much joy just by being him, I will always be thankful for the laughter and fun he brought to our lives. Fly high Tommy we will love you forever.”
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