图片 | 2020年 12月 16日星期三 04:54 BJT

In Chicago, a community mourns a grandmother lost to COVID-19

Florence Bolton, a COVID-19 patient on Dec. 2, is seen in an open casket at her viewing at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, December 9, 2020. On the day Florence passed away, 2,811 people died of probable COVID-19 complications in the United States, according to a Reuters tally. The national death toll passed 300,000 people, while globally deaths have reached an estimated 1.5 million. Every one of those numbers was a person, with a family, a home, a story.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Florence Bolton, a COVID-19 patient on Dec. 2, is seen in an open casket at her viewing at Zion Evangelical Lumore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Florence Bolton, a COVID-19 patient on Dec. 2, is seen in an open casket at her viewing at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, December 9, 2020. On the day Florence passed away, 2,811 people died of probable COVID-19 complications in the United States, according to a Reuters tally. The national death toll passed 300,000 people, while globally deaths have reached an estimated 1.5 million. Every one of those numbers was a person, with a family, a home, a story. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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On Dec. 1, 2020, at 4:40 p.m., Roseland Community Hospital nurse Alma Abad entered the isolation room of COVID-19 patient Florence Bolton with an iPad donated to the hospital to allow the sick to communicate with their families.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

On Dec. 1, 2020, at 4:40 p.m., Roseland Community Hospital nurse Alma Abad entered the isolation room of COVIDmore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 2日星期三

On Dec. 1, 2020, at 4:40 p.m., Roseland Community Hospital nurse Alma Abad entered the isolation room of COVID-19 patient Florence Bolton with an iPad donated to the hospital to allow the sick to communicate with their families. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Florence lay on her intensive care bed, covered in blankets. Her grandchildren, Sammie Michael Dent, Jr., and Tamara Tucker, watched as the nurse took off their grandmother's ventilator and brought the tablet near to her face. "Hello, Grandma!" they said to Florence, who was unresponsive. "It's ok, Grandma, we love you."

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Florence lay on her intensive care bed, covered in blankets. Her grandchildren, Sammie Michael Dent, Jr., and more

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Florence lay on her intensive care bed, covered in blankets. Her grandchildren, Sammie Michael Dent, Jr., and Tamara Tucker, watched as the nurse took off their grandmother's ventilator and brought the tablet near to her face. "Hello, Grandma!" they said to Florence, who was unresponsive. "It's ok, Grandma, we love you." REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Less than 24 hours later, Florence Bolton, 86, was pronounced dead. So beloved was she in her local community that a church of which she had been a member from 1974 until it closed last year was reopened for her funeral. At her eulogy, the former pastor wept.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Less than 24 hours later, Florence Bolton, 86, was pronounced dead. So beloved was she in her local community more

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Less than 24 hours later, Florence Bolton, 86, was pronounced dead. So beloved was she in her local community that a church of which she had been a member from 1974 until it closed last year was reopened for her funeral. At her eulogy, the former pastor wept. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Florence Bolton had been married for over 60 years to Raymond Dewitt Bolton Sr. They lived together in the Roseland community on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Physically active for most of her life, she enjoyed running 5ks when younger and continued to walk with her neighbor, Robert Morris, until around 2015, when he had a hip replacement. She loved aerobics, line dancing, the farmers' market and large family gatherings.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Florence Bolton had been married for over 60 years to Raymond Dewitt Bolton Sr. They lived together in the Rosmore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Florence Bolton had been married for over 60 years to Raymond Dewitt Bolton Sr. They lived together in the Roseland community on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Physically active for most of her life, she enjoyed running 5ks when younger and continued to walk with her neighbor, Robert Morris, until around 2015, when he had a hip replacement. She loved aerobics, line dancing, the farmers' market and large family gatherings. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Florence and Raymond (pictured being pushed in his wheelchair by her open casket) were the first African-American couple to join the previously all-white Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1974. Florence taught Special Education in the Chicago Board of Education School district for over 35 years, all while being diagnosed as legally blind.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Florence and Raymond (pictured being pushed in his wheelchair by her open casket) were the first African-Amerimore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Florence and Raymond (pictured being pushed in his wheelchair by her open casket) were the first African-American couple to join the previously all-white Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1974. Florence taught Special Education in the Chicago Board of Education School district for over 35 years, all while being diagnosed as legally blind. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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To her family and friends, she was the matriarch that had suffered through hard times in the South Side but always had time to lend an ear or a hand.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

To her family and friends, she was the matriarch that had suffered through hard times in the South Side but almore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

To her family and friends, she was the matriarch that had suffered through hard times in the South Side but always had time to lend an ear or a hand. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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The first sign that something was not right was when grandson Sammie Michael Dent, Jr. (pictured), noticed Grandma not looking well and asked if she wanted to take an aspirin. She replied, "I want to go to the hospital, I have a pain in the back of my head and a headache." Sammie drove her to the hospital where, he said, they ran tests, including for the coronavirus, which came out negative. She had severe dehydration, they said, and released her.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The first sign that something was not right was when grandson Sammie Michael Dent, Jr. (pictured), noticed Gramore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

The first sign that something was not right was when grandson Sammie Michael Dent, Jr. (pictured), noticed Grandma not looking well and asked if she wanted to take an aspirin. She replied, "I want to go to the hospital, I have a pain in the back of my head and a headache." Sammie drove her to the hospital where, he said, they ran tests, including for the coronavirus, which came out negative. She had severe dehydration, they said, and released her. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Through November, Florence continued to feel unwell. On Nov. 27 Sammie called an ambulance and she was transported to Roseland Community, where she tested positive for the coronavirus. On Dec. 9, Florence Bolton's funeral was held.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Through November, Florence continued to feel unwell. On Nov. 27 Sammie called an ambulance and she was transpomore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Through November, Florence continued to feel unwell. On Nov. 27 Sammie called an ambulance and she was transported to Roseland Community, where she tested positive for the coronavirus. On Dec. 9, Florence Bolton's funeral was held. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Mary J. Lovett leaves the viewing for Florence. State regulations to stop the spread of the coronavirus meant the viewing and attendance were sparse. In normal times, there would have been people in lines out the doors waiting to pay their respects.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Mary J. Lovett leaves the viewing for Florence. State regulations to stop the spread of the coronavirus meant more

Reuters / 2020年 12月 16日星期三

Mary J. Lovett leaves the viewing for Florence. State regulations to stop the spread of the coronavirus meant the viewing and attendance were sparse. In normal times, there would have been people in lines out the doors waiting to pay their respects. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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"My phone has been ringing off the hook with people expressing their condolences," said Sammie (pictured walking to her hearse outside the church).

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

"My phone has been ringing off the hook with people expressing their condolences," said Sammie (pictured walkimore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

"My phone has been ringing off the hook with people expressing their condolences," said Sammie (pictured walking to her hearse outside the church). REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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A small group of close family and friends were present at the graveside as she was laid to rest.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A small group of close family and friends were present at the graveside as she was laid to rest. REUTERS/Shanmore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

A small group of close family and friends were present at the graveside as she was laid to rest. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, which had been closed since July 2019 following years of economic troubles and a dwindling congregation, was reopened again just for Florence's funeral. Pastor Steve Warren (pictured), who grew up on the South Side, was formerly the pastor at Zion Lutheran, and was close to the Boltons, shed tears during his sermon.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, which had been closed since July 2019 following years of economic troublmore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, which had been closed since July 2019 following years of economic troubles and a dwindling congregation, was reopened again just for Florence's funeral. Pastor Steve Warren (pictured), who grew up on the South Side, was formerly the pastor at Zion Lutheran, and was close to the Boltons, shed tears during his sermon. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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"Last night, I had to dress the altar for the last time; this congregation ceased to exist in July," he said. "It came to my mind that I'm doing it for the woman and the couple that were the very first Black family in this congregation. And the first is now the last."

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

"Last night, I had to dress the altar for the last time; this congregation ceased to exist in July," he said. more

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

"Last night, I had to dress the altar for the last time; this congregation ceased to exist in July," he said. "It came to my mind that I'm doing it for the woman and the couple that were the very first Black family in this congregation. And the first is now the last." REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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The casket for Florence Bolton is moved after her funeral at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The casket for Florence Bolton is moved after her funeral at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. REUTERS/Shannonmore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

The casket for Florence Bolton is moved after her funeral at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Florence's grandson Sammie Michael Dent, Jr. carries her casket into Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Florence's grandson Sammie Michael Dent, Jr. carries her casket into Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. REUTERSmore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Florence's grandson Sammie Michael Dent, Jr. carries her casket into Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Rhonda Vassel, 57, looks down through the hearse of Florence Bolton after her funeral. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Rhonda Vassel, 57, looks down through the hearse of Florence Bolton after her funeral. REUTERS/Shannon Stapletmore

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Rhonda Vassel, 57, looks down through the hearse of Florence Bolton after her funeral. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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The casket for Florence Bolton is moved after her funeral. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

The casket for Florence Bolton is moved after her funeral. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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Pastor Matthew Schettler of Resurrection Lutheran Church lays his hand on Florence's casket during her burial at Washington Memory Gardens in Homewood, Illinois. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Pastor Matthew Schettler of Resurrection Lutheran Church lays his hand on Florence's casket during her burial more

Reuters / 2020年 12月 15日星期二

Pastor Matthew Schettler of Resurrection Lutheran Church lays his hand on Florence's casket during her burial at Washington Memory Gardens in Homewood, Illinois. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

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