Queens couple of 40 years tie the knot in their hospital room as their dying wish

A couple staying at LIJ Forest Hills Hospital commemorated their love with an unofficial wedding ceremony.

Photo by Iryna Shkurhan

Sitting side by side in two hospital beds pushed together, Philip Baldi and Donna Johnson exchanged vows and rings at LIJ Forest Hills Hospital as their final wish. 

The couple has been together for over 40 years, but never legally tied the knot despite their commitment. But after lengthy hospital stays for both of them, they individually expressed their desire to commemorate their love with a ceremony in their final phase of life. 

While a legal wedding was not possible, staff members sprang into action to arrange a special ceremony in honor of their wishes. With just a couple days’ notice, the hospital’s staff and volunteers in the Forest Hills community worked together to organize the wedding, which also coincided with Johnson’s 74th birthday. 

On Tuesday afternoon, the couple’s room was decorated with special touches as doctors and nurses filled up the space to watch the ceremony unfold. The outfits, rings and a bouquet for the special day were picked out by Veterans volunteers with the Forest Hills American Legion Continental Post.

The ceremony was led by Greg Szempruch, Director of Financial Operations at LIJ, who has officiated weddings in the past. He stood before the couple and helped them recite their vows after recounting their story to the guests.

“We honor their commitments with each other and rejoice in the bond they have nurtured through life’s joys and challenges,” he said. “Over the course of their time together, they have woven a tapestry of love, laughter and memories. Their bond strengthened by countless moments that they have spent together, hand in hand navigating life’s beautiful journey.”

The bride was clad in a blue and white paisley dress, matching jewelry and a white top that evoked a veil and tied the look together. The groom, 77, wore a suit over crisp white…