Wife takes job as dishwasher to see husband in nursing home during coronavirus pandemic

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WZTV) — One woman was not going to let anything stop her from visiting her husband of 24 years - even the coronavirus pandemic.

Steve Daniel has early-onset Alzheimer's and has been living at Rosecastle Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Florida.

Mary tells FOX News she used to visit her husband every night. During these visits, she would help him prepare for bed and stay connected.

But when the pandemic hit, visitation was restricted, keeping the couple apart for 114 days.

Mary said she tried everything to connect with her husband. She tried to visit with him through a window, but said he would just cry and didn't understand. Mary says she sent hundreds of requests to the nursing home, even offering to bring in a therapy dog at one point, to no avail. She even appeared on the news to tell her story.

Then, FOX News reports the corporate owner of the nursing home reached out about a job as a dishwasher. After nearly four months of separation, the Daniels were reunited once again.

"After 114 days, I got to hug my husband today. I also washed a lot of dishes," Mary Daniel wrote on Facebook, according to FOX 12. "Proof where there’s a will there’s a way!"

Meanwhile, Mary also created a Facebook group seeking to help those in isolation during the pandemic.