Malcolm Alleyne, Married While In Hospice Care Two Weeks Ago, Passes Away

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A Bronx man diagnosed with terminal lung cancer succumbed to the disease last night just two weeks after his wedding.

Malcolm Alleyne, a former construction worker, and Sonia McClean-Alleyne, an Air Force veteran with two grown daughters, met five years ago.  But Alleyne got sick and moved into The Metropolitan Jewish Health System's Zicklin Hospice Residence in Riverdale last Fall.

The two were married on June 13.

McClean-Alleyne was by his side when he died, a spokesperson told CBS 2.

"In sickness I'm here for him, in health he's here for me," McClean-Alleyne told CBS 2's Dana Tyler the day they were married. "He doesn't like me to feel grief because he's sick. He doesn't want me to feel grief. He wants me to be happy -- go on living."

Moments before her wedding, McClean-Alleyne told Tyler, "I'm feeling so excited. I'm overwhelmed, I can't believe Zicklin is doing this for Malcolm and myself. It's wonderful."

MJHS decorated the residence for a wedding, and Hospice nurses became bridesmaids for the special occasion. Case Manager Nora Forbes brought hydrangeas from her yard for the bouquets.

The hospice staff created a fairy-tale wedding and reception. A bakery helped with the cake and a shop donated the wedding dress.

Alleyne's social worker Carolyn Genereux said his wedding was the best medicine. "I could see the joy in his face, even though his physical body is not as strong as it was -- the same Malcolm is there."

The native of Barbados, who'd never been married, told Tyler the day was unbelievable -- the generosity of MJHS and the love and support of Sonia.

"It was something that I never realized could happen," Alleyne said.

MJHS says that donations can be made to the MJHS Foundation in Malcolm Alleyne's name. You can reach them at 440 Ninth Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10001-1620 or (212) 356-5300, or by clicking here.

Below you will see Dana Tyler's report on their wedding from June 13.