A “devoted and humble” 91-year-old who dedicated his life to caring for his wife died after falling at their home. 

At an inquest into the death of Arthur Rolfe, the court heard how the retired warehouse operative lived in New Costessey, near Norwich, with his spouse, Betty. 

The couple’s "immaculate” bungalow in Rowan Court was part of an assisted-living arrangement overseen by Places for People. 

A statement from their son, Andrew Rolfe, was read out to Norfolk Coroner’s Court, based at County Hall.

In it, he said: “As my mother suffered from mid-level dementia, my father had taken on the role of her full-time career, devoting his life to supporting her. 

“He was in very good health with excellent brain and memory capacity and close to full physical mobility with rare use of a walking cane. 

“He was still a very able driver, although was limiting his driving to short local distances for meals out a couple of times a week. 

“He was a very practical man. 

“I knew the strain of caring for my mother was taking on my father although he never acknowledged it.” 

Mr Rolfe Jnr went on to describe how he would visit his parents from London every six to eight weeks, talked weekly via iPad video chats, and texted regularly throughout the week.  

He also arranged “pizza Wednesdays” where he would order his parents a pizza each week for them to “enjoy and look forward to”.  

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk and Norwich Hospital

Last year, on the morning of July 11, a passer-by heard shouts for help coming from their home. 

Mr Rolfe was discovered on the floor with a head injury and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N) by ambulance. 

Subsequently, he underwent two brain surgeries at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, but his condition deteriorated. 

He died at the N&N on the morning of September 10 with aspiration pneumonia and coronavirus. 

Assistant coroner Christopher Leach concluded that he died from “natural causes”. 

A tribute placed in this paper added: “[He was] the most humblest of men and a gentleman to the end. Heaven has truly gained an angel.”  

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