All weddings are emotional, but the ceremony between 56-year-old Sonia McClean and 57-year-old Malcolm Alleyne at the MJHS Hospice residence in the Bronx on Wednesday was especially touching given the bride and groom’s health conditions.
The couple married at the New York hospice center because Mr. Alleyne is dying from lung cancer, which he was diagnosed with last April. The cancer has now spread to his brain, giving him just weeks to live, and the new Mrs. Alleyne has been living with him at the hospice residence for the past six months.
The ceremony was witnessed by nursing staff who decorated the hospice in white and blue flowers for the big day. Sonia’s wedding dress, veil, and the couple’s cake had all been donated by local stores and friends who wanted to make their day as special as possible, and the groom wore a black suit and blue shirt with a white rose in his lapel.
Unfortunately, Malcolm isn’t the only one of the pair with health concerns. Sonia suffered a brain injury after being hit on the head during an attack at a center for disabled young people several years ago. Luckily she has been able to cope with that reality quite well, but she’s also known the pain of losing a husband before as well. The Air Force veteran’s first husband was murdered many years back and she had to raise two daughters alone. Given those realities, it’s easy to see why she’s treasuring the little time she has left with Malcolm.
The pair met about five years ago when Sonia moved into the same apartment building as Malcom in Jamaica, Queens. Soon, the two began cooking and watching movies together and growing closer.
“My relationship with her was instantaneous,” Malcolm told the NY Daily News before the big day.Sonia confirmed the feeling, saying:
“He treated me like somebody special.”Today, she’s grateful for the time they’ve shared and however much longer they have to be together, telling the newspaper.
“Me and Malcolm had a good life together. “I shouldn’t say we ‘had’ — we have a good life together. I’m gonna miss him.”Check out a video of their ceremony here.
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