Wanda Dench, the grandmother from Arizona, who mistakenly invited a Mesa teenager, Jamal Hinton and his girlfriend, Mikaela, to Thanksgiving, has lost her husband, Lonnie Dench to coronavirus.
The 2016 story had touched the entire country because it showed humanity at its best. Wanda’s original text message was meant for her grandson. Wanda and Lonnie had become local celebrities.
On April 1, Jamal, who is still very close to the family, tweeted: “I am so sad to announce that Wanda and Lonnie both have COVID-19 and that Lonnie is currently in the hospital fighting both COVID and Pneumonia, please send words of love and encouragement their way.”
Wednesday, the young man updated his followers with the sad news and added: “As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it… he passed away Sunday morning, but Wanda told me all the love and support he was receiving put a huge smile on his face, so I thank every single one of you guys for that!”
As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it… he passed away Sunday morning? but Wanda told me all the love and support he was receiving put a huge smile on his face so I thank every single one of you guys for that!??❤️ https://t.co/tNvals0FMh
— Jamal Hinton (@kingjamal08) April 9, 2020
Jamal also said that Wanda does not have COVID-19 symptoms. Arizona’s Family reporter Briana Whitney, who covered the story for years, tweeted this touching message: “For years I’ve covered the Thanksgiving story of Wanda & Jamal, & that mistaken text. Wanda’s husband, Lonnie, was a beautiful part of that. Lonnie just passed away from COVID-19. We honor him tonight.”
Moreover, Briana shared these words from Wanda about her husband’s passing: “He had the truest heart of love, like no other. He did so many acts of kindness that no one ever heard about. He was my hero. And I’m a better person because of him.”
The journalist also added: “Thank you, @wandadench, for your beautiful words tonight. We are sending love and hugs to you and to @kingjamal08 and his girlfriend Mikaela too. We know this is such a tough loss. Thank you all for showing the world the best in humanity.”
In 2016, Grandma Wanda thought she texted her grandson about Thanksgiving dinner until she got a text "who is this?" Turns out she had the wrong number, asking a teen named Jamal instead. They celebrated that year together..and in 2017.
Today was their 3rd Thanksgiving together. pic.twitter.com/kBxI7zkJhx
— Briana Whitney (@BrianaWhitney) November 23, 2018
In the last few years, other members of the different families joined the little tradition, like Mikaela’s aunt. Lonnie’s death quickly became a trending topic on social media, and many people have praised the life that he had lived and the example that he had set.
One comment read: “Aww noo, I’m so sad:( this was such a good story.”
Many are now sending love to Wanda, also known as “Thanksgiving Grandma.”
"He was my hero. I'm a better person because of him."
For years I've covered the Thanksgiving story of Wanda & Jamal, & that mistaken text. Wanda's husband Lonnie was a beautiful part of that. Lonnie just passed away from COVID-19. We honor him tonight❤️https://t.co/uQKhTg9Tgp pic.twitter.com/TJ0vu8REvj
— Briana Whitney (@BrianaWhitney) April 9, 2020
