Couple married for almost 70 years reunited after whole year apart

Iris and Philip Townsend, 91 and 92, have been married since 1953 and have two children and one grandson.

At the time when they last saw each other, the couple, who are originally from Bath, were living in Locks Heath.

In May last year Philip, a retired professional gardener, was taken into hospital with what was suspected to be Covid-19 and not long after, Iris, a retired book keeper who has dementia, was moved to The Gables assisted living facility in Netley as she was struggling to cope on her own.

Iris and Philip Townsend on their wedding day in Bath in December 1953.

The family feared that Philip’s health wouldn’t improve but after a stay in the Queen Alexandra hospital he “miraculously” started to recover enough to be moved to the Grange Nursing Home in Hedge End for end of life care.

Despite this though, his health continued to improve so much that he has now been granted his “dearest wish”.

Now he has moved to The Gables to finally be with his wife again who he hasn’t seen for the past 11 months.

Iris and Philip Townsend with their family for Philip's 90th birthday. L-r: Daughter, Deborah Price; Son, Derrick; Derrick's wife, Gloria; Deborah's husband, Kevin; Kevin and Deborah's daughter, Emma.

Their daughter, Deborah Price, went with her dad to take him to his new home and said: “As soon as he went into the nursing home he just kept saying ‘How’s mum? I wish I could be with her’, that’s been his dearest wish ever since he started to recover.

“Mum had actually nodded off, she was sat in the chair asleep. Dad went in and just sat in the chair next to her.

“When she came too she was a little bit disorientated but she was happy to hold his hand and he sat there like a Cheshire cat.”

Iris and Philip Townsend reunited at The Gables care home after 11 months apart.

Upon leaving The Grange and saying an emotional goodbye to all the carers, Deborah said Philip was “really looking forward to being with mum” but added that he was worried she may not remember him.

Deborah added: “He was just happy to be there and see her. I think she’s going to have to get to know him over again but they both seemed happy.”

Heather Cardy, manager at the Gables, said she and the staff were “delighted” that he and Iris can “see out their days together”.