A devoted couple who were married for 52 years lay lovingly next to each other in their final moments as they both died just days apart.
Chris and Lynne Johnson, who had barely spent a day apart after five decades together, were by each other’s side for the last time after they both died of cancer.
A heartbreaking photo shows the “soulmate” couple, who had two adult children, resting next to each other at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Shortly after the photograph was taken, Lynne, 69, died on February 13, followed by Chris, 76, who passed away on February 21.
Her daughter, Julie Whittaker, shared the touching image in a touching tribute to her beloved parents, as she recalled that her father was there for her mother’s “last breath”.
A heartbreaking photo shows the “soulmate” couple, who had two adult children, resting next to each other at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
“He held her hand and that comforted her a lot,” she said.
“When my mother died, it took her a few days to accept it. On Saturday she burst into tears and said, ‘Is Lynne really gone?'”
She explained that after realizing this, Chris “didn’t eat or drink again.”
“He was completely heartbroken over his mother’s death and just gave up,” Julie said. “I don’t think he would have died that day if his mother was still alive.”
“The ultimate goal was to ensure they were together until the end, and that wouldn’t have been possible without Ashgate.”
Lynne had been battling an aggressive brain tumour while her husband was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer. In their final days, the couple were cared for in the same hospice room.
Chris was a milkman when he met Lynne while making his rounds and they married in June 1972.
The couple had two children, Gary and Julie, and were described as “true soulmates” who never left each other’s side.
Chris was a milkman when he met Lynne while making his rounds and they married in June 1972.
The couple (Lynne pictured centre and Chris on the right) had two children, Gary and Julie (left), and were described as “true soulmates” who were never apart.
“They did everything together,” Julie recalls. “Apart from when they were at work, they were never apart; they were soul mates.”
‘Even today, it doesn’t seem real. It hasn’t been that long since they passed away. How come they’re just gone?’
“It was a whirlwind, everything happened so fast. I’m so grateful that Ashgate was able to keep them together.”
Chris, who later worked as a bus driver before retiring, was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer last October.
Just three months later, Lynne, a former caregiver, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor.
The couple were moved into adjacent rooms at the hospice until staff fulfilled their dying wish to be together during their final days.
Julie described the care as “phenomenal” for both her parents and the entire family.
Chris, who later worked as a bus driver before retiring, was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer last October. Just three months later, Lynne, a former carer, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a cancerous brain tumour. They are pictured here as young people.
Chris and Lynne Johnson, who had barely spent a day apart after five decades together, were by each other’s side for the last time when they both passed away from cancer.
Julie (pictured) is now calling on the government to review funding so more people can access end-of-life services.
“The hospice was with us from the beginning and is still there for us now,” she added. “If they hadn’t been able to care for both of them at the hospice, it would have been very painful for us to choose who we were going to be with. Having them together gave our family so much more time with both of them.
‘The hospice is an amazing place and they looked after us so well.
‘It’s all about the little details, they think of everything and do everything they can to help patients, families and visitors.
‘Dad was able to enjoy a glass of wine, and his brother Alwyn came to visit us every day with my mum and dad’s dog Tess. Alwyn and Tess were there when Dad died, which was special for him.’
Julie is now calling on the government to review funding so that more people can access end-of-life services.
She added: ‘Not only does everyone deserve the end-of-life care my parents received, but when patients are in a hospice rather than hospital, it eases the burden on the NHS.
‘Nothing is too much trouble for the hospice staff; there is so much love and compassion.
“I just wish more families could be as well cared for as we were.”
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