A Californian couple has passed away while holding hands

AN elderly couple from California has shown there was no need for ‘until death do us part’ in their vows. This story is enough to warm the hearts of even the most cynical.

A LOVE story emerging out of California is enough to restore faith in even the most cynical among us.

After 67 years of marriage, Floyd and Violet Hartwig mimicked The Notebook as they passed away while holding each other’s hands.

Daughter Donna Scharton said she knew the end was near, so she made arrangements for the couple to be together.

“My mum had dementia for the last several years and around the holidays we noticed she was going down,” she told Good Morning USA.

“Then, I got a call from the doctor saying ‘your dad has kidney failure and he has two weeks to live.’ So, we decided to put them in hospice together.”

The couple when they were younger

A recent picture of the lovebirds

The lovebirds first met in grammar school and commenced dating after Floyd returned from a stint in the Navy.

After marrying in 1947, the couple had three children, including Donna.

“They were very devoted and when dad came home we’d always have supper together,” she said.

“I remember them kissing each other goodbye every morning. I remember mum called him Blondie because he had such pretty blonde hair and blue eyes.”

Despite Floyd’s health deteriorating, his main concern was always for his beloved wife’s welfare.

“He would tell the doctor, ‘I’m okay I just want her fixed’,” she said.

“We could tell my dad was in a lot more pain.

“We pushed the hospital beds together as far as we could. We put their hands together, and my dad died holding my mom’s hand. Mum was not coherent, but we told her that dad had passed away and that he was waiting for her. She died five hours later.”