AN “INSEPARABLE” couple who had been married for 47 years died from coronavirus simply 4 days aside.
Sue Shaikh, 75, died of the virus in hospital on December 29 whereas her husband Basim, 76, handed away at their flat in London on January 2.
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Sue Shaikh, 75, died of the virus in hospital on December 29 whereas her husband Basim, 76, handed away from the bug simply 4 days laterCredit score: BPM Media
The couple had lived in Barnt Inexperienced, Worcestershire, all of their married life however moved to Kensington, West London 5 years in the past to be nearer to their two kids and three grandchildren.
Daughter Caroline, 43, mentioned the household had not knowledgeable Basim about Sue’s demise, however claimed he “simply knew” and “gave up” after she tragically handed away.
She mentioned: “I do assume my dad knew my mum had died and simply gave up.
“In a means, it is a blessing they died inside days of one another as a result of I can’t think about how my mum would have coped with out the love of her life.
“They have been inseparable, two peas in a pod, who would not have been ready to reside with out the opposite one.”
Basim, initially from Iraq, fled his house nation as a youngster to flee non secular persecution as he and 9 siblings got here from a distinguished Catholic household.
He met Sue whereas finding out for a PhD in mechanical engineering at Birmingham College, the place she labored as a secretary.
Regardless of each being engaged to different individuals on the time, the pair fell in love, broke off their engagements and have been married inside a 12 months.
Sue and Basim Shaikh are pictured with their kids Caroline and JonathonCredit score: BPM Media
Basim was a well known businessman and labored within the oil and gasoline business, spending massive elements of the 12 months in Abu Dhabi.
Caroline mentioned that mum Sue went into Chelsea and Westminster hospital simply earlier than Christmas after contracting the virus – and died per week later.
The household had been strictly abiding by the foundations as Basim was identified with an aggressive mind tumour in Could final 12 months – and informed he wouldn’t survive past 2021.
I can’t think about how my mum would have coped with out the love of her life
Daughter Caroline
Mum-of-two Caroline mentioned: “My dad and mom had been actually cautious and hadn’t left the home for 4 months – other than hospital visits for my dad due to his mind tumour.
“We actually thought mum would pull by, however in the long run as a result of she had Kind 2 diabetes, Covid bought her and she or he handed away after a week.
“As a result of my dad was very unwell we determined to not inform him right away that she’d died, however he by some means knew she’d gone.
“He mentioned to us ‘she’s gone hasn’t she?’ after which a number of days later handed away himself.
“We did not even know he had Covid till the final two days when he developed a cough after which it simply took over actually shortly and he was gone.”
She added: “As a result of I would had Covid myself in November, I used to be capable of spend the final three days of my dad’s life by his bedside, speaking to him and reminiscing about his life.”
Caroline mentioned the household had been “inundated” with messages and playing cards from residents in Barnt Inexperienced expressing their condolences.
The funeral will likely be held in London on January 18.
