<div><p>Isaac and Teresa Vatkin lived the type of life any of us would be lucky to have. They were happily married for 69 years, raised three children and numerous grandchildren. Then, earlier this year, they died together - side by side, hand in hand.</p><h2>Beginnings</h2><p>The couple was born in Argentina and married in 1947. After 20 years of marriage they moved to America in search of a better opportunity. They found it in Skokie, Illinois where they laid down roots and began their family.</p><p>The couple adored each other, and had 3 children, Leo, Daniel and Clara. The children can't name a single time they even saw their parents angry with each other.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_850px.jpg 850w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_950px.jpg 950w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_1050px.jpg 1050w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_1150px.jpg 1150w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_1250px.jpg 1250w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_1350px.jpg 1350w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_1450px.jpg 1450w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_1550px.jpg 1550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/people---people_GH_content_1630px.jpg 1630w" sizes="89vw" title="Couple" alt="Couple" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>People</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>"My mom was his queen," said the eldest Daniel. "They stuck together through thick and thin and they taught us what it means to be a loving spouse, and how to love and forgive and move on."</p><p>The couple was as happy and successful as any American middle class family, knowing hardships and successes, but through it all their love never waned. They tackled every problem together, showing the same kind of devotion and dedication that marked every year of their marriage.</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p>Even when Teresa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 10 years ago.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/family---dailymail.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/family---dailymail_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="People" alt="People" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Daily Mail</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>More of the heartbreaking story on the next page.</p><h2>Struggles</h2><p>Like the epic love story <em>The Notebook</em> Isaac wouldn't let his true love forget the life they shared together. He learned computers and spent night after night researching new treatments and possible cures for the disease that has destroyed so many. He even drove her to the Mayo Clinic to sign her up for new research trials.</p><p>Despite his efforts, Teresa worsened and was moved to a long-term care facility.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/Kiss-photo---the-independent.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/Kiss-photo---the-independent_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="Vatkins" alt="Vatkins" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>The Independent</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Isaac's daily visits became a highlight for the staff, if not his wife, as his love was evident to anyone who saw the pair.</p><p>"He never stopped loving her," said Daniel. "But it really killed him to see her like that."</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><h2>Saying Goodbye</h2><p>Earlier this spring Isaac was admitted to hospital with a bout of the flu, his wife was also brought in with pneumonia. Neither were responding to treatment and were moved to hospice care, sharing a room together.</p><p>Both were under morphine drips, but still laid together, hands clasped tight. It was in that position that hospital staff found them.</p><p>Leo says his dad "waited" for the love of his life to go first.</p><p>"He wanted to go and be with her."</p><p>Forty minutes after Teresa died, Isaac stopped breathing. His children say they couldn't have written a better ending to their parents' beautiful story.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/together---people-1.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/together---people-1_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/together---people-1_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/together---people-1_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/together---people-1_GH_content_850px.jpg 850w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/together---people-1_GH_content_950px.jpg 950w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/together---people-1_GH_content_1050px.jpg 1050w" sizes="89vw" title="Young Couple" alt="Young Couple" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>People</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>"It was difficult, but in another way it's a beautiful piece," said Daniel. "I don't think he could have handled it if he had survived."</p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p>It's not a small solace to think of the two in heaven together, but even so it's nearly impossible not to tear up. </p><p>"Our Rabbi said, 'No death did not do them part, because they are together still.'" Leo told <a href="http://people.com/human-interest/chicago-couple-married-69-years-dies-holding-hands/" target="_blank">People Magazine</a>. </p><p>And there's no better ending to a storybook romance than that.</p><p></p><p></p></div>