Devoted pair die on same day
A husband and wife, described by their children as "inseparable" since meeting on a blind date more than 40 years ago, have died within hours of each other.
Ivy Hopson, aged 62, died in hospital when she lost her battle with lung cancer while 67-year-old husband Brian died peacefully in his bed at their Walsall home that evening after suffering a haemorrhage.
The couple, of Attlee Road, Bentley, leave a large family, including five children – Martin 42, Gary, 40, Tracey, 39, Neil, 38, and Tony, 27, 18 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Daughter Tracey Hayward said her parents met on a blind date, aged 21 and 16, and lived for each other.
"My dad used to say 'when your mum goes I'll be following'," she said.
"They were inseparable, they never went anywhere without each other."
Mrs Hayward, herself a grandmother, said her life centred around her parents.
"It's horrible because they were my everyday life, I saw them every day," she said.
Mrs Hopson was diagnosed with cancer in June last year and was cared for at home by her husband and family.
She and her family refused to allow the consultant to tell them how serious the condition was.
Mrs Hayward said they would have been unable to cope had they known it was terminal.
Eldest child Martin said his parents were "normal, brilliant people who lived for their family".
The couple, who died on May 10, brought their children up in Tyler Road, Rose Hill, Willenhall, and the funeral party will drive past the family home on the way to the church.
Mr Hopson, a Wolves fan, was a keen gardener who kept canaries at the bottom of his immaculate garden.
His wife was houseproud and doted on her family.
Mrs Hopson died in hospital while Mr Hopson was discovered by son Martin.
Their funeral will take place on Wednesday at St Giles' Church, Willenhall, at 11.30am. Burial will be at Willenhall Lawn Cemetery and the wake will take place at The Bridge pub in Lane Head. The Hopson family would like to thank all well-wishers who have supported them with cards and kind words since the deaths.
