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Amazing ending: Husband, wife married 75 years pass away within 24 hours

Posted at 8:12 AM, Nov 06, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-06 08:12:56-05

WRIGHTSVILLE, Pennsylvania -- After 75 years of marriage, Al and Dottie Fairhurst died within 24 hours of each other. Their life, and love for each other, left an indelible mark on their daughter.

"He would always tell her how pretty she looked, and she always said the same to him, how handsome he was," daughter Virginia Wallace said.

Wallace said she knew something was amiss recently when her mother called and told her to come home. She was right. Her father Al had passed away in his sleep. He was 98 years old. The next day Virginia and her mother began to plan his funeral.

"And then she said a few other things to all of us and now looking back, I just feel like it was last words," Wallace recalled.

That night, after several hours of prayer and lying in bed with her granddaughter, Dottie also passed away in her sleep. Her death came less than 24 hours after Al's passing. Virginia Wallace said losing both parents at once is hard, but she took comfort in the notion her parents were still together.

Virginia Wallace said losing both parents at once is hard, but takes comfort in the notion her parents are still together.

Virginia Wallace said losing both parents at once is hard, but takes comfort in the notion her parents are still together.

"It’s affirmation that love can work if you’re devoted to each other," Wallace said. "The story’s finished, and the ending is just an amazing ending."