Human Interest Chicago Couple Who Planned to Get Vaccinated Die of COVID Weeks Before Wedding: 'Tragic' "It feels like a Romeo and Juliet story," said Imelda Gambia, the stepdaughter of Luis Suarez and Norma Franco By Joelle Goldstein Joelle Goldstein Twitter Joelle Goldstein is a TV Staff Editor for PEOPLE Digital. She has been with the brand for five years, beginning her time as a digital news writer, where she covered everything from entertainment news to crime stories and royal tours. Since then, she has worked as a writer-reporter on the Human Interest team and an associate editor on the TV team. In her current role, Joelle oversees all things TV and enjoys being able to say she has to watch The Kardashians, Dancing with the Stars and America's Got Talent for "work". Prior to joining PEOPLE, Joelle was employed at The Hollywood Reporter. She graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Television-Radio (and an appearance in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four!) People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 16, 2021 03:42 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Luis Suarez and Norma Franco. A Chicago couple, who had been together for years and were excitedly planning their wedding, tragically never got to see their big day. Luis Suarez and Norma Franco, who recently died of COVID-19, were planning to tie the knot right after Thanksgiving, according to ABC affiliate WLS-TV. The longtime couple was also expecting to get the COVID vaccine ahead of their nuptials so that it'd be safe to interact with family members, the outlet reported. But sadly, Suarez and Franco never got to do either of those things as they were diagnosed with the virus and died in October, family members told WLS-TV. "It feels like a Romeo and Juliet story, it really does," the couple's stepdaughter, Imelda Gambia, told the outlet. "They were meant to be together and something tragic like this happens." Vaccinated Couple with Underlying Health Issues Die of COVID Minutes Apart While Holding Hands According to loved ones, Suarez grew up in Puerto Rico and later moved to Chicago. During his lifetime, he enjoyed playing baseball and worked as an usher for the White Sox, WLS-TV reported. "She was his soulmate," Angel Santos, the pair's son, told WSL-TV. "They really loved each other." RELATED VIDEO: Man Says His Final Goodbyes to Wife of Almost 30 Years Shortly Before She Dies of Coronavirus After Suarez and Franco tested positive for COVID, they were both admitted to a local hospital, according to WSL-TV. Despite their fight, both Suarez and Franco were put on life support and tragically died one week apart, per the outlet. Va. Couple Die of COVID Weeks Apart, Leaving Behind 5 Children: 'Please Get Vaccinated,' Family Says In a nod to the wedding they never got to have, for their funeral service, Franco was dressed in her white gown while Suarez wore a white suit, according to WSL-TV. The couple also wore the rings they planned to exchange at their nuptials. As their family continues to mourn the couple's loss, Santos is urging others to get vaccinated. "People are worried about the side effects," Santos told WSL-TV. "The side effects of losing a family member [this] way are terrible, and that's what happens if you don't get vaccinated." As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.