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Article Couple Die Just Months Apart, Leaving Behind Four Children

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Four children are struggling to process an ‘unthinkable loss’ after their parents died just seven months apart.

Elaine and Scott Conley left behind twins Aidan and Max, 19, Keira, 15, and Shea, 11, in a tragic few months that has left the family utterly devastated.

“It’s unfathomable … and so horrific,” Elaine’s sister Diane Fucci told TODAY.

Elaine, 52, died last month, a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia, just seven months after her husband Scott, 52, died of a heart attack in March last year.

Elaine was an occupational therapist and Scott a detective – and their deaths have also impacted their community of Topsfield, Massachusetts, which has raised more than $300,000 to support the children.

Elaine was diagnosed with leukaemia in October 23, on her and Scott’s 23rd wedding anniversary.

“She hadn’t felt good for a few months but she didn’t know if it was menopause,” Diane explained.

Elaine and Scott Conley

After undergoing chemotherapy, Elaine needed a bone marrow transplant, with Diane chosen as the donor.

On March 23 last year, Elaine was in hospital to undergo the bone marrow transplant, but was unable to contact Scott at home. She was concerned because he’d been feeling unwell and was being treated for heart issues. A neighbour was sent to check on Scott, and they discovered he’d died in his sleep.

The bone marrow transplant was postponed until May to allow the family time to process Scott’s death. But after the operation, Elaine suffered with complications for months.

“She could not catch a break,” Diane explained. “Anything that could go wrong, did go wrong for her. It was just horrible.”

Diane says in the last week of her life, her sister was content.

“She was so happy to be home and we sat at the table and she did homework with Shea.” But one night, Elaine told her sister, “She said, ‘I’m sick, I’ve been vomiting and … have a headache … I just don’t feel good.”

Elaine was taken to hospital via ambulance, with a scan discovering she had a brain bleed. She died 12 hours later.

“After all this fight, that’s what got her,” Diane said. “It was shocking — it’s still not real to any of us.”

Diane now has custody of her sister’s two younger children, and is planning to move so they can keep attending their schools.

“We tell them that what they’re seeing is an outpouring of love … it’s a reflection of who they are — and who their parents were.”

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  • It is pleasing to know that her sister has stepped for the younger children, but in her heart of hearts she knew her twins were old enough to pick up the reins had they had to do so. This lady has died of a broken heart after her loved passed away – the love of her life was not there for her and she knew her children would be fine, but they needed each other in heaven.

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  • That’s such an awful story. Hopefully her kids are doing okay.

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  • Such a sad time for this family. It would have been bad enough to have lost their Dad. but to then lose their Mum such a short time later would have been devastating for them. I’m glad that Diane was able to step in and take care of the girls. I hope the boys drop around often to see their sisters to offer comfort to each other.

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  • Such a terrible, sad story. I can’t imagine the bad luck for both parents to die so suddenly. It sounds like her sister, Diane is a wonderful person though, who will make a great mother to the kids left behind and ensure that the memory of their mother and her sister live on (as well as their dad).

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  • This is heartbreaking news, no family should have to go through situations like this. I am so glad there is family around to help support the younger children and im sure they will support the older 2 as well. Situations like this bring families closer, I wish these children all the best.

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  • This is so sad…poor kids.

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  • This is heartbreaking. It must have been so hard on Elaine after losing her husband and knowing she too was so ill. I hope the children are well cared for by the Aunty and the older ones in constant contact and involved.

    • Yes that must have been hard for her and I can imagine this complicates the process of accepting that you’re going to die. I can just imagine that you’ll probably want to hold on to life and your children and not want to let go.
      However, for some the wish to die and to go where the partner went might become stronger.

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  • How very awful for those children, although at least they’re not tiny. But still, heart breaking. So glad they have support.

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  • Oh this is devastating for the whole family. I’m so glad that the aunt was able to step in and look after the youngest two so they can stay together with family and that she’s moving so they can stay in their school. They need as much stability as possible right now.

    • Yes it’s wonderful that the aunt is able to take custody of the two younger kids and keep them at the school they attend as children very much so need continuity, care and connection.
      Experiencing the loss of one parent is already incredibly painful no matter what age you are, but going through double parental loss (even as an adult) can bring on entirely new feelings of grief. Some people say that it causes a sudden questioning of your identity and your own mortality.

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  • Reading this article was heart breaking for this family. Loosing both parents at such a young age must have been so tough. I really feel for the family as they were still grieving their dad passing to only have their mum pass away too. Hopefully they can all come together to support each other and help each other through all of this.

    • It is always incredible when family to do step up and provide support and care for children that have lost parents. We have helped in a similar situation and every bit of support and care means so much and is so needed. A community that steps up to help is also so incredible.

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  • This is indeed a heartbreaking story and such a tough situation for the children. They are very fortunate to have family and a community that has stepped up to help them and to support them. Sadly this does happen in families and it is a tough journey to be on and help and support really do make a difference.

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  • Aw bless, this is heart breaking and that is too much to bear for the kids and the family ! And the younger two kids still need their parents so much. It’s hard to imagine the pain they are going through. A couple of years ago my uncle died of leukemia and then his wife my aunt died too from a stroke after just a couple of months.

    • I don’t think it matters what age you are you always need your parents. I really feel for this family loosing both parents so close together. It’s great that they have raised so much money within their local community to help these kids. When community’s come together like this it is so lovely to see.

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  • How devastating for their kids. I can’t even imagine processing so much loss in such a short amount of time. It would take so much strength to go through a painful, scary illness while trying to grieve your partner’s death AND still be a supporting mum. What a wonderful woman. I really hope all the best for these kids and their aunt.

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