Couple Married for 61 Years After Meeting on Blind Date Die Within Days of Each Other: 'An Inspiration'

Adolph Gonzalez died a day after attending his beloved wife Rita's funeral in Texas on Oct. 12

• Texas couple Adolfo "Adolph" and Maria "Rita" Gonzales died just days apart after being married for 61 years

• Adolph attended his beloved wife's funeral on Oct. 12 before he died a day later

• The couple's niece, Rosie Collin, said the pair was "an inspiration to what marriage is supposed to look like and what family looks like"

A Texas couple who were married for 61 years have died just days apart.

Adolfo "Adolph" Gonzales, of Corpus Christi, died at age 89 on Oct. 13, just a day after his beloved wife Maria "Rita" Gonzales' celebration of life service, according to obituaries posted for the couple. Rita died on Oct. 9.

"It is with our greatest heartbreak we announce the passing of our beloved Adolfo (Adolph) Marquez Gonzales who joined his adored wife Rita of 61 years in Heaven, days after her death. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend," Adolph's obituary read, adding that he "died peacefully," like his wife, who was 87.

Her obituary noted that the couple "met on a blind date and they were married on April 22, 1963."

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"They raised three children, instilling in them the value of a good education, strong work ethic, and unwavering morals, ensuring their family was raised with a deep Catholic faith," the post added. "They worked hard to fulfill their greatest dream of seeing each of their children achieve college educations and successful careers."

The late couple's niece, Rosie Collin, called the pair "an inspiration to what marriage is supposed to look like and what family looks like," according to NBC affiliate KRIS-TV.

Adolph and Rita's daughter, Carol Alejandro, told the outlet that her mom had been in a hospice for her final years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease for about 10 years.

Despite Adolph also getting ill during the end of his wife's life, he opted not to have hospice care so that he could take care of his wife, Carol added.

"Even when he was in pain, he said, 'No, I want to go,' " Carol said of her dad insisting on attending Rita's funeral.

"I think he had peace that his promise to her and to God was fulfilled," Carol noted about Adolph's passing.

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According to Rita's obituary, she worked for Coastal States Gas Company — serving "in many capacities and titles" — before she retired.

"Alongside, she also successfully co-owned the family property rental business with her husband, Adolph. Upon her retirement, she and Adolph, created many memories traveling to many countries and states throughout the European and Americas continents," the post stated.

Adolph's obituary shared he'd had many businesses through the years, including in construction and real estate, and had been a keen varsity track team member when he was younger, qualifying for State Championship, among other honors.

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"After [Roy Miller High School, class of 1954] graduation, Adolph studied at Del Mar College, the internationally renowned Mexico City College, and the University of Houston. Later in life, he was greatly honored to be inducted in the Buccaneer Sports Hall of Fame," a description read.

"She was a proud graduate of the Benavides High School Class of 1956, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and elected first runner-up Most Beautiful by her classmates," the tribute said of Rita's school days.

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The family thanked everyone for all the support they received following their deaths.

"The Gonzales family is grateful and appreciative to everyone who has loved and supported them during the immeasurable and great loss of both of our adored parents," Adolph's obituary read.

The pair is survived by three children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.