They tested positive for coronavirus on Nov. 6 after a trip to California to attend their uncle’s funeral, their brother Daniel Trevino told CNN.
Adelita passed away on November 29 at Ascension Borgess Hospital. Her brother died a week later at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, hours after her sister’s funeral, said their sister Jesusa Vela.
“I don’t want that on anyone,” Trevino said. “My sister was 39 years old and my brother was 35. Quite young. They have a lot of life left. And, unfortunately, their lives have been cut short by the virus. “
Adelita had all the symptoms of the virus, from fever to body aches, according to Vela. She was hospitalized the same day she tested positive and never left, Vela said.
Her brother, Nicolas, was admitted the next day and sent home to quarantine. He returned to the hospital a week later as his condition began to decline, Vela told CNN.
The brother and sister were neighbors in Hartford, Michigan. Both were raising single children as single parents, with a total of 11 children between the two.
“They were always at home with each other,” Vela said. “They really enjoyed grilling. Lita was always there. They grilled almost every weekend. They did a lot of things together.”
Vela says the two were stupid and funny whenever they were together. Above all, they loved their children and were dedicated to their families.
Unable to personally visit their loved ones in hospital during the pandemic, the family spoke to each brother through video calls and prayed for them as they fought the virus on fans and on life support.
The family thanks the church community for supporting them in a difficult time. They hope their story can serve as a warning story for families thinking of gathering for the holiday season and encouraging others to follow public health guidelines.
“The mask is temporary,” Trevino said. “When you lose someone, they don’t come back.”