Heartbreak as parents die just eight days apart

Jane Walker, 47, said she believed her mother, Nanette Casey, 67, died of a broken heart after husband Daniel, 73, passed away on May 23.

The inseparable couple both found out they had terminal cancer at the same time.

And despite being told she had months to live, Mrs Casey, who bravely held her beloved husband’s hand as he passed away, died just eight days later on May 31.

Speaking to The Gazette, Mrs Walker, of Wyre Grove, Blackpool, said she believed her father’s death had left her mother completely “heartbroken” and she had no reason to go on.

She added: “Dad went into Blackpool Victoria Hospital in May. They found he had cancer in his liver, kidneys, bowel and bones. It had gone to his brain as well. We were told he had days to live.

“Mum was already in hospital being treated for pneumonia and we had to tell her he was going to die.

“She was poorly, but she held his hand. When he died she was with him when he went. But after that she just shut down.”

She added: “She stopped eating and drinking and wanted to go with him. She did not want to be without him.

“We then found out she had cancer in her liver and kidneys. They gave her four months to live. It spread very quickly.

“She had no reason to live – she was just so sad. Her heart was broken.”

Mr Casey, originally from Scotland, met Mrs Casey in Jersey in 1964.

The pair first moved to Blackpool 34 years ago, living on Hill Street, then Loftos Road, followed by Marton Drive before settling on Clayton Crescent.

Their lives were changed forever in 2004 after a fire at the couple’s then home in Loftos Road, South Shore.

Mrs Casey, along with Mr Casey, was rescued by firefighters but suffered 60 per cent burns and needed 25 operations. She was later diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which affected her breathing.

After the fire, she had a knee replacement operation, but her body suffered a reaction to the titanium. Despite several operations, surgeons were forced to remove her leg.

Last year Mr Casey was diagnosed with bowel cancer. An operation in August was successful in removing the tumours and he started chemotherapy.

But after several sessions the former railway worker stopped the treatment, with Mrs Walker revealing it had left him “washed out.”

During the New Year both were taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with pneumonia. They became well enough to go home, but soon the pair both started to feel unwell and were taken to hospital last month.

It was soon after they discovered they both had the terminal disease.

Mrs Walker said: “Mum died on May 31. When they moved her on the Friday before she passed away, they moved her to the same room dad died.

“My dad had always done everything for her. He shopped and cooked and cleaned for her. She just did not want to stay on this earth without him.

“It is just tragic – we can’t believe it. At the same time we feel comfort they have gone together and have each other – we always said that. They were just such a close couple.”

The pair are survived by daughters Jane, 47 and Jackie, 42, as well as son Daniel, 40 and six grandchildren.

A joint funeral will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church in Lytham Road, Blackpool, at noon on Friday. It is followed by a cremation at Lytham Cemetery.