Southpinellas: Joined in death after life spent hand in hand

Joined in death after life spent hand in hand

Failing health ends a marriage of 72 years as husband and wife die just hours apart.

By CRAIG BASSE

ST. PETERSBURG -- For 72 years, Marie Louise Morency and Charles Gilbert Morency shared "a life of commitment" in the Panama Canal Zone and St. Petersburg. They raised a family and grew old together.

On Monday, after fighting serious illnesses for a month, they found a last opportunity to be tender to one another, said a daughter, Sandy Abell.

They died just hours apart.

"This is a romance story," another daughter, Nancy Jeffcoat, said on the eve of Valentine's Day, as she mourned the deaths of her parents.

Mrs. Morency, 89, had two heart attacks. Mr. Morency, 97, battled pneumonia. Determined to remain together, they spent their 72nd anniversary last Wednesday at Edward White Hospital.

Determined also to die at home, with family members, they came home Saturday, Mrs. Abell said. Hospital beds were set up next to each other. Family members gathered.

Two days later, at 4:46 p.m., Mrs. Morency died. "Daddy went at 10:25 the same day," Mrs. Abell said.

"They were very dedicated to each other," she said. "In death they were united together. Each one knew that the other was ready to go. Mom didn't go without knowing Dad was ready to go. They had their hands together."

Both were born in Amherstburg, Ontario, and spent much of their lives in the Panama Canal Zone. Mr. Morency, who belonged to the Master Mates and Pilots Union, retired as a dredging captain for the Panama Canal Co. after 28 years. She was a homemaker. They came here in 1966.

In St. Petersburg, both were members of the Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration and the Panama Canal Society.

Survivors include three daughters, Nancy Jeffcoat, St. Petersburg, and Sandy Abell and Charlene Rogers, both of Albrook, Republic of Panama; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Mr. Morency also is survived by a brother, Morton, of Taylor, Mich.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Blount, Curry & Roel Funeral Homes & Cemeteries, Memorial Park Chapel, 5750 49th St. N. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Transfiguration, 4000 43rd St. N.