A couple in Hamilton, Canada, who celebrated their 79th wedding anniversary and their 100th anniversary earlier this year, died just hours apart last week.

Frances "June" and William "Hubert" Malicote, both 100-year-olds, died just 20 hours apart.

Hubert passed away on November 30 at 9:15 p.m., while June died at 5:40 p.m. December 1.

The couple met in September 1941 and married in 1943.

Such an event, in fact, is not the first time it has happened. We are drawn to these melancholy yet heartwarming stories, perhaps because they suggest that love really does last forever, even beyond death. And that is a beautiful thought.

 But is there really something, or is it just a coincidence?

It may seem to happen often, but this is likely also due to the selection of titles by the media. "Two elderly married people die a few hours apart" is a human interest news.

But it turns out there's a real science behind the phenomenon. There is what is known as broken heart syndrome, which is believed to occur when someone loses a partner or spouse.

The death of a spouse is known to be one of the most stressful things that can happen to a person. But in addition to anxiety and grief (which in themselves are very debilitating and should not be neglected), many forget that stress also has a physical component. Stress can cause many physical diseases and if it is sudden and serious enough, then the diseases can also affect the heart.

But even without direct damage to the heart, the physical and emotional consequences of losing someone can take a serious toll on the body. This may be another reason for the stories we hear, which invariably involve people who have been together for decades.

The aging body is much more fragile and exhausted than a young body, so the shock of losing a long-term partner can be too much to bear.

This may also help explain why you don't hear of this happening to younger couples when one partner dies.

Source: Guardian, WHIO