'Devoted' couple die in Worthing and Shoreham, just hours apart

Anne and Tony Platt, of Hammy Way, Shoreham, had been married for 41 years when they died.

Anne, 73, had been bravely battling Parkinson's disease for 12 years, but the condition had left her unable to walk and needing constant care at home.

She died in Worthing Hospital on Monday, April 2.

Her husband was determined to look after her, but had himself suffered a stroke and heart problems.

He died in Southlands Hospital nine hours after Anne, from heart disease.

The couple's only child Gaynor has paid tribute to her "cherished" parents and says she is relieved they will be together.

Gaynor, 35, from Ferring, said: "They were so close.

"They were very genuine and very generous. They did everything together.

"They were very good parents. I want to follow in their footsteps."

Gaynor had flown home from a skiing holiday in Switzerland with her husband Chris to be by her mum's side when her condition worsened.

She said: "I went straight to the hospital with my suitcases. She was comfortable so I went home for a sleep.

"I went back at 6.30pm and it was like she had been waiting for me '“ she died at 6.45pm."

Gaynor's dad Tony, 72, was also unwell.

He had been taken into Worthing Hospital two days after Anne, following a mini heart attack which Gaynor puts down to the stress of his wife being in hospital.

Because his condition had improved, he had been moved to Southlands.

"We did try to get him transferred back over to Worthing when mum deteriorated," said Gaynor. "But there wasn't a bed."

Strangely Tony was not even told his wife had died. Gaynor said: "The nurse had offered to tell him the news in case he became distressed but as she spoke to him he said 'I know she has gone'.

"He was very calm and just spoke about their lives together and about me.

"My dad said he knew I would be looked after and that I would cope. Then he said 'I'm going to be with my wife now'. Then he died."

Tony died at 3.45am on Tuesday, April 3.

Gaynor added: "I feel happy they are together. They will not have to experience each other's funeral.

"It was like they decided to go together. My dad would never have coped if he had gone home alone anyway."

The couple were members of the Brighton and Hove branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society and the Adur Stroke Club.

They both loved musicals and Anne had sang in a choir for many years in the past.

At their funeral, held at HD Tribe funeral directors on Thursday, April 12, pictures of the couple were be shown to the music from Me and My Girl.

Poems written by Tony for Anne when they were courting were also read out.