BRANDON, Fla. - Joseph and Eve Loreth’s love story started at Sweet 16.“I went roller-skating one night, and that’s where she caught up with me,” 80-year-old Joseph said.That was back in the 1950s.“She wouldn’t leave me be, she’s still chasing me around,” he laughed.They’ve been married now for 60 years.
Or 60 years and 10 months, as Joseph tells it.Until this year, they hadn’t been apart for long. AdvertisementThat all changed, thanks to COVID-19.Joseph had been taking care of Eve, who suffers from dementia, until March.
An infection in his leg led to an amputation and months of rehab at an outside facility.Because of COVID-19 restrictions at long term care facilities, the couple couldn’t see one another for 215 days.