Upstate N.Y. couple married 78 years die 2 days apart

DELMAR, N.Y. � An upstate New York couple born two years and two days apart and married 78 years died within two days of each other.

According to their family, 98-year-old Evelyn Bennett Drake died July 20 and 100-year-old Gilbert Orzell Drake passed away two days later. Both died of natural causes with their family by their sides at the couple�s home in Delmar, an Albany suburb.

The family said Evelyn would�ve turned 99 on Aug. 8, while her husband would�ve been 101 on Aug. 10. Granddaughter Elizabeth Officer said the Drakes were married Oct. 13, 1939.

In addition to their two sons and a daughter, the Drakes are survived by Officer and four other grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A private graveside family service is planned.