Paul Blackwell, 62, and Rose Mary Blackwell, 65, died Sunday after two weeks in intensive care and several days on ventilator at Harris Methodist Hospital, their son Shawn Blackwell told CNN.
They were both teachers in the Grand Prairie Independent School District in Grand Prairie, Texas. Rose Mary was a second grade teacher who had just reached her 20th year at Travis World Language Academy. Paul was a gym teacher and football coach at Fannin Middle School.
Blackwell said his parents worked until they fell ill in December. The family made the tough decision to get rid of them from the livelihoods after days after doctors confirmed there was no chance of recovery, Blackwell said.
“Doctors said they had seen no progression at all and their overall vital signs were slowly deteriorating,” Blackwell said. “It got to the point where it was very far away and there was nothing they could do.”
“Me and my brother decided to let them go together in peace. They were together and held hands. My brother and I both held hands of my parents too, so all four of us held hands like they were both removed from the fan. ”
The Grand Prairie Independent School District expressed its condolences to the family and school community in a post on social media on Monday.
“I just want people to know that I’m proud of the people who were my mom and dad and proud of the things they’ve accomplished,” Blackwell said. “They were the definition of the best parents and grandparents ever.”