Connected Heart Syndrome

After cremations as part of the cremation services offered in Rocky Mount, VA, there is a real possibility that some of the surviving spouses of loved ones who have died will experience connected heart – also known as broken heart – syndrome. 

Although their medical records won’t use the term “broken heart” to describe the cardiological effects that the surviving spouses are dealing with, the medical phrase “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy” describes the same condition: sudden heart failure following extreme emotional upheaval. In other words, the heart is severely weakened by intense mental anguish. 

But neither broken heart syndrome nor Takotsubo cardiomyopathy truly describe the root of heart failure – and death – between couples who’ve spent a lifetime together, forming such a bond in life that they have a bond in death, and die hours or a few days apart. 

One example is that of Michael and Olympia DeNittis of New Jersey. Their granddaughter, AnnMarie McDonald, described her grandparents as never breaking each other’s hearts while they were alive, but they were so deeply connected at the heart level that they died within hours of each other in 2014. Though her grandparents had been married for 67 years, they’d known each other much longer, growing up together in the same block of Port Reading, New Jersey. That they died so closely together was no surprise to their families. 

Another example is that of Claude and Mary Rebecca Beasley of North Carolina, who died nine days apart from each other in 2015. As their daughter, Rebecca Burkhead, explained, her parents were “just always on their honeymoon and always in love. They were never angry. Isn’t that weird?” Her father, she said, always, “called her [his wife] the love of his life and his angel, right up until the last.” 

Don and Maxine Simpson, the grandparents of Melissa Sloan of California, were also connected very deeply on a heart level. They were married for 62 years. In August 2014, they were hospitalized. They were allowed to stay in a room together, where they spent their last days going through family photos and sharing their memories of each one. Holding hands at the hand, they died within four hours of each other. 

Each of these women believe that these stories of true love should be honored and remembered, and each has made sure that they do their part in making that a reality. 

AnnMarie McDonald not only purchased her grandparents’ home, but also has started a scholarship program named “The 67 Foundation,” named for the number of years her grandparents were married. The program helps students who want to have vocational careers, echoing the DeNittis’ commitment to a hands-on work ethic (Michael DeNittis was a cabinetmaker and Olympia DeNettis was a seamstress). 

Rebecca Burkhead, along with her siblings, has chosen to honoring the memory of her parents’ true love by maintaining the family airplane (the newlywed couple first flew on it for their honeymoon). Rebecca’s brother offers flights on the plane to aspiring aviators through the “Young Eagles” program. 

Melissa Sloan, who is a professional photographer, was able to capture many photos of her grandparents – and their undying affection for each other – during the final days of their lives. Sloan, after some time, has set up a Facebook page where she shares the endearing photos, which has, in turn, garnered more true love and connected heart stories from around the world. 

For additional information about cremation services in Rocky Mount, VA, our caring and knowledgeable staff at Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home can assist you. You can visit our funeral home at 140 Floyd Ave., Rocky Mount, VA, 24151, or you can call us today at (540) 483-5533 and have the talk of a lifetime.