Spouse of 60 years lost to Covid-19

Pat and Dennis Melhuish, residents in the north of Pretoria, were looking forward to celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary on July 18, but instead, their family were now planning a memorial service.

Pat (83) lost her battle against Covid-19 on July 15, barely a week after testing positive with the virus in hospital.

“Our hearts are broken. Covid has taken too much from us recently,” said daughter-in-law Cindy-Lee Melhuish.

Her own father Ralph Boy (75), passed away on July 23, also due to Covid-19.

“Who would have thought we would have to say goodbye to two people we loved so dearly merely a week apart… Dad Ralph, Mam Pat… Please look after each other until we meet again,” Cindy wrote on Facebook.

Cindy told Rekord that the family was experiencing more grief, as they could not yet set a date for a funeral service.

She said the date for cremation was still unknown, “it could take three weeks or longer”.

“Dad Dennis doesn’t want the memorial service without Mam Pat there. He wants a proper goodbye.

Cindy said Dennis (85) was not faring well after losing his wife, but said his children and family were taking good care of him.

He and his wife had been living at a retirement village in Theresapark for some years.

Cindy said Pat had previously been admitted to hospital, in June, with a bladder infection.

“She was there for a few days and then sent home with antibiotics.”

Cindy and other members of the family helped to take care of Pat during her illness.

“We were all very careful during this time and wary of Covid.

“After nine days of homecare, we saw she wasn’t getting better and called a doctor.”

Pat was again admitted to hospital.

“It was going really well and after a few days they prepared her to go to the step-down unit at the hospital, so they can help get her mobile again.”

But a Covid-test then revealed that Pat had been infected with the virus.

“This was the third Covid-test. She had tested negative the first and second time she was admitted to hospital.”

Cindy said Pat at first showed no symptoms.

“And then, just suddenly, the virus had reached her lungs. It was barely a week later when we got the call from the hospital.”

On July 18, 1959 in England, Pat and Dennis Melhuish were married. Six decades later death parted them. But the love and happiness they shared remains still in the hearts of Dennis and family.

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