At the age of 88, Feliks Ogorodnik died of coronavirus a few minutes past 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Illinois. Four and a half hours earlier, in the same hospital, his wife Luiza, 84, also died of the same reason, as reported in the Chicago Sun-Times.
The couple's death was caused by pneumonia associated with the coronavirus, and other preexisting conditions.
No one Knows How They Contracted the COVID-19
No one in the family knows how they got infected with the virus, said the couple's son-in-law, Ed Greenwald, to the Chicago Tribune on Sunday. He added that they were a beautiful couple, and both were very loving and wonderful grandparents. They were very integral to the family.
The Couple's Online Obituary
According to an online obituary, 20 years ago, Feliks and Luiza immigrated from Ukraine to the US. They "were very grateful to be here and become US citizens". Before they moved to the US, Feliks worked for a construction company as a supply manager, and Luiza worked as a physician. Luiza was one of those doctors who loved people and always finds ways to help the people around her.
According to Feliks' relatives, he was a man who values his family more than anything. He loved gardening and generously shared his harvests with his loved ones and neighbors.
Luiza, on the other hand, was described as a very energetic woman who is full of optimism and life. She was also very passionate about theatre and books. She also loved learning new skills.
The obituary said that the Skokie couple always strived to become better English speakers. They were very eager to learn more about the United States. It added that they would surely be missed by their families and friends all around the world.
Feliks and Luiza had two daughters, Irina Greenwald and Janina Schnaper, and four grandchildren.
Rabbi Andrea London told the Chicago Tribune that the couple was very loving and kind. She added that she last saw them in February at their grandson's bar mitzvah.
London also said that the couple was very proud of their grandson, that even though they were struggling to speak English, they still proudly got up and spoke in front of everyone. She thinks of them as very intelligent people.
Another Couple Died of Coronavirus
A week ago, KATU reported another husband and wife whoe died a few hours apart. Merle, 86, and Dee Tofte, 85, were both hospitalized and tested positive to the coronavirus. The elderly couple had symptoms of difficulty breathing, cough, and a fever. However, despite being hospitalized, their health declined. It is still unclear how they got the virus since they did not travel nor went out so much.
The kind and funny couple died five hours apart at Peacehealth Southwest Medical Center. In their final moments, the health workers made sure that no family members were allowed to visit them personally for precautionary measures. Instead, they set up a Facetime call with the couple's family members so that they could each say goodbye to them.
Michelle Taylor, the daughter of the couple, is now self-isolating after having close contact with her parents. She said that the pain is unbearable at times, and she wants the people to take the virus seriously. She knows that by sharing her story, she is helping the people to understand the reality that the coronavirus is taking people's lives. Her advice to the people is to "be safe, be kind, and be smart."
