Michigan couple who did ‘almost everything together’ dies of COVID-19 at the same time – USA TODAY

Patricia and Leslie McWalters, married 47 years, eat cake at one of their great-grandchildren's birthday party earlier this year.(Photo: Family photo)

DETROITLeslie and Patricia McWaters Jackson, Michigan, natives who were married almost 50 years did "almost everything together," relativessaid. They danced together.They watched theirkids,grandkids and great-grandkids grow uptogether.And in the end, they contracted the coronavirus and died together.

Leslie, better known to friends and family as LD, and Pat, who relativessaid was "definitely the boss," died at the same time, 4:23 p.m. last Tuesday, at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson. They were 75 and 78, respectively.

"It should be no surprise that they went to be with the Lord together within the very same minute," their funeral home obituary said. "The hospital staff that cared for them,as they lost their battle to COVID, said it was too close to call. They recorded their deaths at the exact same time."

But, the obituaryadded: "Those of us that know them, know that mom went first and said, 'LD, its time to go!' "

Their story is both romantic and tragic as more than 9,000 Michiganders have died from the pandemic since March, and more than 350,000 people have had the virus.

One of the couple'sdaughters,Joanna Sisk, said her parents likely got the virus from dining out atrestaurants. Sisk said she wishes they had stayed home, but her mom and dad didn't feel that being cooped up all the time was living their life.

However, Sisk said, after they got sick, theyregretted not being more careful.

They went to the hospital together, Sisk said,and in a week, they "went to heaven together."

Nov. 24: After months of following COVID-19 guidelines, a Texas family 'let their guard down' for a day. All 12 of them got sick.

Nov. 28: Photo shows doctor embracing a 'vulnerable,' 'lonely' COVID-19 patient on Thanksgiving

"People should be worried, and they should be concerned and take it seriously," Sisk said of the coronavirus. "It's not difficult, when you have to run to Meijer to put a mask on and do the things that need to be done. I don't want one other family to have to go through what our family has had to go through."

Wed on April 16, 1973, they made their marriage work despite or perhaps because they "were polar opposites," according to the obituary.LD was a truck driver and Pat was a nurse. LD was "fun loving." Pat was "no nonsense."

They first met atJulie's Bar & Grill in Jackson and ever sinceloved to godancing there.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy Reservesand a member of the Lions Club, LD spent a lifetime haulinga variety of things, includingasphalt and cheesecakes. He retired from Hendrickson Trucking, but his true specialty, his family said, was making his famous strawberry booze for the chili cook-off.

He "had more friends than anyone could count and he loved them all dearly," family said.

Pat worked at Foote Allegiance Hospital for 35 years as a registered nurse in the operating room. After retirement, she kept in touch with colleagues. She was best friends with her sisters, sister-in-law, and daughters.

In the summers, the couplehosted family pool parties. Relatives said Pat "made way too much food."

They also enjoyed driving their 59 Corvette to car shows and meeting up with family and friends.At the end of the summer, they'd take anannual family canoe trip.

Theyalso enjoyed spending their retirement watching their grandchildren grow up.

Every Tuesday, they babysat their great-granddaughter.

The couple was cremated. A service, the family said, willbe heldin the spring orsummer.

Pat may have been "the boss," but LD was the "king of one liners." His kids remember LD saying Pat was "the most beautiful woman ever" adding, "Boy, did she look good in hot pants and go-go boots!"

Follow Frank Witsil on Twitter:@fwitsil

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/01/michigan-couple-dies-covid-19-same-minute/3786437001/

Continued here:

Michigan couple who did 'almost everything together' dies of COVID-19 at the same time - USA TODAY