THEY were devoted in life and could not be separated in death.

Alf and Maida Torkington were together for 70 years and died within a day of each other.

The couple spent their final months in the same nursing home before Maida died aged 94.

Her devoted husband, who was two years younger, passed away just 36 hours later.

The couple, who came to Southampton after the war, will be remembered by family and friends at their joint funeral to be held later this month.

Speaking about their parents, Peter and Clare told the Daily Echo how the couple were devoted to each other and that his father’s proudest achievement was providing for his family so that his wife never had to work for a living.

Peter said: “I think dad was hanging on for mum and when she passed he was able to let go.

“They went together into the next life which really fits with how devoted to each other they were in this life.”

The couple moved to Southampton as newlyweds after being demobbed after the war and married in 1948.

It was the Second World War which brought them together as they met while both posted at RAF Mount Batten in Plymouth.

Alf was a wireless operator air gunner and Maida a teleprinter operator.

Daily Echo:

Alf and Maida Torkington on their wedding day

After moving to Southampton the pair eventually settled in Mousehole Lane where they brought up their two children before they moved to West End.

Throughout his working life Alf was a sales representative and worked for a number of firms including a stationary business, Fry’s chocolate and latterly T Lucas and Company which supplied the butchery trade.

He retired in 1988 to enjoy his well-earned leisure time with his family which included grandchildren Amy, Nicola and Mark and great-grandchildren Heidi and Tanitha.

“They loved spending time with their family and were very homely people,” said Peter, a quantity surveyor from Chandler’s Ford.

The couple also enjoyed several holidays including a memorable trip on the QE2 to mark their golden wedding anniversary.

As their health began to deteriorate the couple had spells in hospital before going to The Grange nursing home in Hedge End.

Clare, a sales advisor, said: “They were both great parents who gave us a good moral grounding and who were devoted to each other.”

Their funeral will take place on November 17 with a requiem mass beginning at 10.30am St Brigid’s Church in West End, where the couple were regular worshippers.