A husband and wife who fostered more than 20 children have died in within a fortnight of one another.
Hefin Williams, 80, and his wife Valerie, 74, died after falling ill with suspected Covid-19, their family said.
Mrs Williams died eleven days after her husband – the day after his funeral.
The couple, from Warrington, Cheshire, had four children, six grandchildren and 26 foster children.
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Their daughter, Andrea Brinksman, wrote an emotional tribute to her parents on Facebook saying: “The day after my gorgeous dad’s funeral my beautiful kind-hearted mum decided she needed to be with my dad, she’s gained her wings and is now our Angel.
"To say we are devastated is an understatement…we love you lots mum and dad, you will always be in our hearts.”
Mr Williams was widely known within his community of Great Sankey, Warrington, thanks to his roles as Asda supermarket worker, bingo caller at a local sports club, and hospital help desk volunteer.
Mrs Williams worked as a care assistant looking after the elderly until last year, the Warrington Guardian newspaper reported.
She began to shop symptoms of coronavirus in early March, and the couple self-isolated, but Mrs Williams became increasingly run down.
On March 21 she was taken to Warrington Hospital. The next day she was moved to an Intensive Care Unit and placed onto a ventilator.
Mr Williams, who was diabetic, self-isolated at home after his wife developed symptoms, but fell ill a week later.
He was taken to hospital, and moved onto a ventilator on March 29. The next day, after suffering multi-organ failure, he passed away.
His wife remained in intensive care in a stable condition, unaware that her husband had died.
The couple’s children were told the next day that doctors could do no more for their mother and her treatment would be withdrawn.
Mr Williams, was originally from Edern, a small village on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales and Mrs Williams grew up in Kensington, Liverpool.
Ms Brinksman told the Warrington Guardian newspaper: “Mum and Dad spent their whole lives helping others, they were the most selfless people you would ever likely meet.
“They loved their children, grandchildren and foster children, had time for all their family and friends, they left a lasting impression on everyone they met.
“Their door was always open, mum’s cafe was never closed, and dad’s taxis was always available, they loved, laughed, sang and danced their way through life!”
Yvonne Pickett, a friend of the family, has set up a fundraising page in the couple’s memory. All proceeds will go to the Warrington and Halton NHS Intensive Care Unit.
