This touching photo shows a dedicated couple holding each other's hands as they lie in separate hospital beds before dying within days of each other.
Childhood sweethearts Margaret and Derek Firth, both 91, from Partington, Greater Manchester, had been married for 70 years when they both fell ill.
Together since the age of 14 Margaret was separated from her husband when she was originally admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital but later transferred to Trafford General Hospital.
When Derek was later admitted to Wythenshawe he was moved to Trafford to be with his wife after doctors feared she didn't have long to live, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Both were hospitalised after suffering with other health issues but later tested positive for coronavirus.
They were able to see each other in hospital before Derek died on January 31 - Margaret passed away three days later.
Barbara Smith, the couple's daughter, said that when Derek joined Margaret, she asked him 'where've you been?'
"From then she seemed to get better, it seemed to give her a boost," Barbara told the M.E.N.
"It was quite a sad moment, but it was really lovely that they were both there together."
Explaining how her dad was transferred to be with his wife, Barbara said: "I got a call to say we're not happy with her, we think that she may go, would somebody like to visit.
"And of course, my dad jumped at the chance to go and see her in hospital.
"I think that is probably where he has contracted it, but to be honest he probably wouldn't have had it any other way.
"There's no way he wasn't going to not go and see her."
The grieving 50-year-old paid tribute to the 'amazing' NHS staff, who also allowed visits from other family before her parents died.
Margaret and Derek married in May 1950, and lived in Partington for most of their lives.
Margaret trained as a machinist and later worked as a cleaner at Broadoak School in Trafford, while Derek was initially a butcher and finished his working life as a storeman.
They had five children, later going on to have 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Last year they celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary and Barbara said both her parents enjoyed socialising and going on holidays.
She added her mum was an 'avid' bingo player, while her dad enjoyed playing dominoes in pubs.
"They loved enjoying themselves and making the most of life," Barbara said.
A date for couple's funeral has yet to be confirmed, but the family hope that it will be a joint send off.
