Real life 'Notebook' couple die within hours of one another
An elderly Irish couple who met when they were just 17 died within hours of each other in a real life The Notebook moment.
Máire and Gerry Ryan, both 93, lived in the same nursing home after Mrs Ryan developed Alzheimer's and Mr Ryan fell ill, and shared an eight-decade long romance.
They were even born just one day apart, RSVP Live reports.
After nine years of dating, the couple married at the age of 26. Mr Ryan pursued a career in the armed forces while Mrs Ryan worked as a teacher, eventually becoming the deputy principal of the Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge in County Kildare.
The couple had been married for 65 years when they moved into Curragh Lawn Nursing Home last year.
In their final moments, they had their beds put next to each other so they could hold hands.
While Mrs Ryan's health had declined, Mr Ryan was always able to communicate with his wife, providing her with love and support.
“They were never apart for any length of time and had a wonderful relationship,” owner and director of nursing at Curragh Lawn Nursing Home, Val Ryan, told The Independent.
“Gerry told the staff working at Curragh Lawn Nursing Home that they had a relationship built on respect for each other.
Every afternoon, Gerry would recite poetry to his childhood sweetheart and serenade her with traditional Irish songs.
It was last weekend when Mr Ryan could see his wife needed his comfort and asked for their beds to be pulled together.
The couple passed away the following day within hours of one another.
