Couple marries in intensive care, one hour before the bride’s father takes his last breath
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) – An emergency wedding took place at a Rhode Island hospital that had to be performed before the bride’s father died of muscular dystrophy.
Sabrina Silveira-DaCosta says her father, 58-year-old Frank Silveira, was born and raised in Portugal, a serious chef and a five-star dad. He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy about 10 years ago, which has worsened recently. He was admitted to Fatima Hospital in North Providence last Tuesday.
As Silveira’s health deteriorated rapidly, his family knew he would not be able to attend his daughter’s wedding on September 7, so plans changed.
“Everyone was able to bring the wedding to him in the hospital and he was able to walk me down the aisle,” Silveira-DaCosta said.
From his bed in the intensive care unit, Silveira accompanied his daughter down the hospital corridor on Monday into the hands of her fiancé, Sam DaCosta.
“I was just so grateful that he was there with me. Before we walked down the aisle, he quickly told me that I looked beautiful and that he was so happy for me,” Silveira-DaCosta said.
The bride and groom were surrounded by their loved ones, flowers, music and cake at the wedding ceremony.
Silveira-DaCosta’s father died about an hour after walking her down the aisle.
“It’s very complex. There’s a lot of emotion behind it. Our community hospitals don’t get enough recognition because no big hospital could have done this for us,” she said.
Although Silveira cannot attend the wedding in person, the couple says he will be there in spirit through the food he requested.
“We will continue to respect that. We will continue to do all of these things,” DaCosta said.
Silveira-DaCosta works in a cardiovascular clinic herself and appreciates the care and attention that the hospital’s doctors and nurses give her family. Her siblings also work in the health field.
“I think we realized what our calling is. We realized how difficult it is to be sick,” Silveira-DaCosta said. “Knowing that we are helping people like our father is so special.”
The couple thanked the hospital staff and the staff at Continuum Care Hospice of Rhode Island for their support.
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