Couple born on same day, married for 75 years, died one day apart

Their friends and family agree - if two people ever were “made for each other” it was Helen and Les Brown from Belmont Heights, California.

Both born on the same day, Dec. 31, 1918, Helen and Les were high school sweethearts who celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this year. It would be their last - Helen died on Tuesday, July 16, and Les died the next day, July 17. They were 94.



They met at Huntington Park High School and eloped on Sept. 19, 1937. They were married against their own parents’ wishes. “It was a real love match, wasn’t it,” their oldest son, Les Jr., said. “They were together every day for 75 years.”

Daniel, the couple’s youngest son, agreed with his brother. He added: “My mom often said she didn’t want to see my father die, and he didn’t want to live without her.” A joint memorial service for Les, who had Parkinson’s disease, and Helen, who had developed stomach cancer, was held on Saturday.