ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - What makes love last for decades? A couple who passed just a month apart, set an example for future generations.
Married in 1961, Arthur and Maggie Kelley spent the last few years in a long-term care room as Maggie declined due to dementia.
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Reporter Cara Anthony with Kaiser Health News heard about their 60-year love story and reached out to their children.
As they raised their family, Maggie worked as an educator, Arthur a speech pathologist as well as a pastor at Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis.
In their moments, Cara Anthony tells KMOX, Arthur Kelly had one wish.
"One thing that he wanted was to be by her side as she passed away, as she transitioned. He was there for her, he was in the room," Anthony says. "He actually told a nursing assistant that 'I don't want her to be alone during this process' and they were able to stay together and he was right there."
The couple's children held off on a service, because shortly after Maggie's death, Arthur contracted COVID.
He never recovered.
Due to pandemic control measures he passed alone in a hospital.
"This mirrors what millions of Americans have experienced," says Anthony, "think about we lost 400,000-plus people but think of all the people who are attached to those folks. We're talking about people who wish they could be with their loved ones and because we're in a pandemic, that makes it impossible."
Anthony says the Kelley children are strengthened by the legacy of their parents.
"I think this story is one about love, sacrifice, dedication and commitment and they embodied that in their almost 60 years together," Anthony says.
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