AFTER spending their lives together, a devoted couple were able to say a last goodbye and share their final moments holding hands in hospital beds pushed side by side.

Doris and Wilf Kelly died within 24 hours of each other after being married for 61 years and seeing their family grow from seven children, to 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The Kelly family, from Newton Aycliffe, were touched after nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital offered to care for their beloved parents on the same ward and in beds moved next to each other.

Mr Kelly, 83, spent three weeks in a temporary care home over the summer and briefly returned home to his wife before he was admitted to hospital in late August.

After being told her husband was seriously ill, Mrs Kelly, 84, was also admitted to hospital with her own health problems and the pair were both treated on ward 41.

One of their seven children, Bernadette Moscrop, said: “The staff on the ward noticed the family were visiting and moving from one room to the other to see mum and dad.

“I thought it was absolutely amazing when the nurses put them into a shared room and then, at the end they put their beds together in one room and my mum passed away holding my dad’s hand.”

She added: “The empathy shown by the nursing staff really demonstrated the amazing support, care, information and patience that was provided to the Kelly family during such a heart-breaking time.

“For this the family will always be grateful.”

In beds side by side, Mrs Kelly died on the morning of Friday, September 1, before Mr Kelly passed away in the early hours of Saturday, September 2, surrounded by their family.

The inseparable couple had been cared for by their son, Shaun, for several years and shared their 61st wedding anniversary on August 25.

Sister Natalie Walker, manager of ward 41, said: “We hoped that nursing Mr and Mrs Kelly side by side would be comforting for them and it was touching to see them holding hands, despite both being frail.

“Being kind and thoughtful is an essential part of caring for patients and their loved ones.

"This must be a very difficult time indeed for Mr and Mrs Kelly’s family and our thoughts are with them.”