SoCal Couple Who Died a Day Apart a “Real Love Match”

"They were together every day for 75 years," said their son

Born on the same date and married for 75 years, a Long Beach, Calif., husband and wife died one day apart earlier this month.

Helen and Les Brown, high school sweethearts who celebrated three-quarters of a century together this year, died July 16 and July 17, respectively.

At Ma N' Pa Grocery in Belmont Heights, the store where Helen went every day, the couple’s story – published in the Long Beach Press-Telegram – is posted for all to read.

Owner Renee Henderson noted how rare such long-lasting love stories are.

"You don't see that these days; it's like one in a million," Henderson said.

She recalls one day when Helen walked into the store, where she fancied the chicken wings, and her husband, the mashed potatoes and gravy.

"She put her hand on his face and said, 'Isn't he the most beautiful man ever?' And that kinda stuck with me," Henderson recalled.

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Helen and Les Brown were born on the same day in December 1918; they were 94 when they died.

"It was a real love match, wasn't it?" their oldest son, Les Jr., told the Press-Telegram. "They were together every day for 75 years."

The two met at Huntington Park High School and eloped in 1937, marrying against their parents’ wishes, the newspaper reported. They moved to Long Beach in 1963.

A public service for the pair will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 5852 Belgrade Ave., Garden Grove.

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