“He was a true gentleman.
“He told Maryanne and I that he loved us daily.
“Marriage made him my brother-in-law but love made him my brother.”
A widow whose husband died during Covid pandemic says ‘he comes to see me in my dreams’
A widow who lost her husband to coronavirus on New Year’s Day said “he comes to her in his dreams” and brings a smile to her face.
Maryanne Pilling, 49, from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, was married to Tommy for 25 years before lost his battle with Covid two weeks after contracting the virus.
The couple were the first in the UK with Down’s Syndrome to get wed and were separated for the very first time on December 10 when the 62-year-old was hospitalised with a chest infection.
Maryanne said she is completely lost “without her love” but she dreams about him and he “gives her cuddles”.
She told ITV News : “He’s my husband.
“I dream about him every day.”
Maryanne’s mum Linda Martin added: “I’m not saying it because he’s not here but he was one of the most gentlest, sweetest person that anyone would ever meet. ”
“Anybody that met Tommy fell in love with him. He was the best son-in-law I could ever had wished for.”
Maryanne and Tommy lived independently since tying the knot in 1995.
Tommy had been shielding for 10 months when he contracted coronavirus in hospital which sadly led to pneumonia.
Maryanne had moved next door with her mum for daily support while Tommy was in hospital.
He spent one month in three different hospitals -Southend Hospital, Thurrock community hospital and Basildon Hospital where he died.
His devastated sister and carer paid tribute to Tommy after his death saying he was “one of a kind”.
Lindi Newman said at the time: “I will cherish thousands of memories I have with Tommy, from cinema trips to zoo visits.
“He would always thank me for taking them out for the day and compliment me – even when I looked horrendous.
