Grandmother who found viral fame inviting stranger to Thanksgiving dinner loses husband to coronavirus

‘Wanda told me all the love and support he was receiving put a huge smile on his face’

The husband of the Arizona grandmother who went viral after accidentally inviting a stranger to Thanksgiving dinner, has passed away from the coronavirus.

Lonnie Dench, husband to Wanda, died on Sunday morning. Ms Dench has also been diagnosed with Covid-19. Lonnie was hospitalised after developing pneumonia.

The news was confirmed by Jamal Hinton, who first joined the family for Thanksgiving in 2016 after Ms Dench accidentally texted him instead of her grandson.

Mr Hinton became friends with the Denchs and spent four Thanksgivings in a row with them at their home in Mesa.

Read more

“As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it,” Mr Hinton tweeted. “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!”

Ms Dench first texted a then 17-year-old Mr Hinton about Thanksgiving dinner when he sat in class at his high school in Phoenix, thinking she was contacting her 24-year-old grandson.

Rather than ignore the unknown number, Mr Hinton continued the conversation and the pair sent each other selfies.

Once they realised she had sent the text accidentally, Mr Hinton asked if he could still come over for dinner texting: “Can I still get a plate tho?”

“Of course you can,” replied the grandmother of six. “That’s what grandmas do … feed everyone!”

The conversation went viral and was held up as an example of kindness during the holiday season. Their four-year friendship is a testament to that.