Devoted couple 'were about to be separated'

May 14 2008 Media Wales

A DEVOTED couple found dead together in their retirement flat believed they were about to be moved to separate care homes after 60 years of marriage, it emerged today.

Retired dentist Tom Hughes, 82, and wife Nancie, 86, were discovered dead next to each other at their home in Abergavenny.

Neighbours told how doting Tom and Nancie were never seen apart, and still held hands as they went on their weekly shopping trips.

But her health was failing and the pair feared being move into different nursing homes.

Mrs Hughes faced going alone to a specialist home for dementia sufferers, while her husband was well enough to move to a mainstream care home.

It emerged yesterday that the couple were found dead shortly after receiving an official visit from social services.

Gwent Police initially treated their deaths as suspicious but later said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the double tragedy.

The pair, who have two sons, were highly respected in the town where Mr Hughes was a dentist for more than 30 years until his retirement.

Former local councillor Chris Woodhouse described the couple as “devoted”.

He said: “Mr Hughes was a very dignified man and he was obviously devoted to his wife – you would see him helping her down the steps of their house.

“I often saw them walking together in the town and Mr Hughes would always greet me with a bright ‘Good morning’.

“They were very courteous and respectful people. What has happened is tragic.

“I have heard they were worried that they were going to be separated into different homes. It is very sad indeed that they thought this was the only way out.”

Councillor Douglas Edwards described the deaths as “tragic” and said he is making his own inquiries with social services.

He said: “I have heard that the couple were upset at the thought they would be moved into different care homes because she had dementia.

“I will be making my own inquiries with social services to find out if the council had any part to play in this decision as the death of this couple is heartbreaking.

“There is a private care home in the town which specialises in dementia patients but it only has space for one or two patients who have all their faculties.

“This sort of facility is ideal for couples who don’t want to be split up.”

Neighbour Judith Bannen, 51, said: “They were a very gentle couple and were always together holding hands as they walked into the town supermarket.

“It’s been a big shock being so close-by and very upsetting.”

Bakery worker Sandra Smith, 57, said: “Mr Hughes was a lovely man. He was my dentist when I was a child – he was the only one I would go to.

“Its a terrible shock for our community.”

Local businessman Ian Pountney, 68, said: “I’ve known the couple for more than 30 years – Mr Hughes’s dental practice was alongside my shop.

“They were a devoted to each other but very reserved.”

A statement from their family said: “Tom and Nancie were a loving couple who were devoted to each other and their children. They will be sadly missed.

“The family would like to thank the police and paramedics for their sensitivity and patience at this difficult time.”

An inquest into their deaths is due to be opened by the Gwent Coroner David Bowen on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for Monmouthshire social services yesterday confirmed the couple had been visited at their home.

She said: “We had seen the couple to make an initial assessment to discuss their future needs in their own home. We would look at their physical needs and their emotional needs.

“Our social services policy dictates that during all assessments staff must consider a couple’s emotional needs as well as their practical needs.

“We aim to always keep devoted couples together if that is their wish.”