Couple married for 79 years die hours apart from each other— “They went out together”

A couple who celebrated their 100th birthday and 79th anniversary this year, died hours apart from each other, proving that true love can withstand even the most difficult challenges.

Despite their advanced age, Hubert and June Malicote remained deeply devoted to each other until the very end.

According to the couple’s grieving daughter, Jo Malicote, her mother’s health had deteriorated over the years, but her father was in good health.

It was until recently when June Malicote started receiving hospice care that Hubert’s health began to decline.

“He went from 100 to zero in the span of three days,” Jo said. “My dad saw what was happening to mom. He knew the prognosis and he wasn’t going to let her go alone. He lined up to be with her.”

It had been only a week since Hubert was out on his tractor and building furniture in his workshop.

However, his condition deteriorated so rapidly that he soon joined his wife June in hospice care, where the staff pulled their beds close so that the couple could spend their final days together. “When dad passed they were in hand in hand,” Jo recalls. A few hours later, his beloved wife June “slipped away to be with him.”

“It’s like she knew he was gone,” Jo, who is one of three children the couple had together said. She added, “We gave her permission to go be with Dad. We gathered in her room and said, ‘He’s waiting for you,’ and I know she heard us.”

The fact that the couple turned 100 and celebrate their 79th wedding anniversary in the same year made headlines earlier this summer.

Hubert had shared the news that he and his wife of now 79 years had met at church when they were 19 years old. They had stuck by each other through wars, the Great Depression, and more since then.

The couple claimed to have never fought in their entire 79 years of marriage. “It’s kind of like if we aren’t together, the team is broken,” Hubert explained.

“They had a beautiful life. They were like a well-oiled machine, where everything just worked right,” Jo said about her loss. “Our loss is great, but we are taking comfort in knowing they gained eternity together.”

It’s tragic to learn about the passing of this lovely pair. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Malicote family as they grieve this great loss.