A terminally ill man who chose to provide for his kids over spending money on a wedding has finally tied the knot with his fiancé – 20 years after he first proposed to her.Dean Pennell, 63, met his partner Kay Beaman, 62, through their children 24 years ago in Basildon, Essex.The couple held off on wedding plans in order to provide for their 10 children. THE BEST TIME TO TALK TO YOUR PARENTS ABOUT SENIOR CARE — BEFORE IT'S TOO LATEBut after being told he had just weeks to live, Pennell — who has terminal cancer — finally married Beaman on June 18 at Colchester Hospital in Essex, England, news agency SWNS reported.The new wife said, "I am absolutely elated.We have waited a long time, and it’s so special to be able to celebrate our marriage here, with our families."Dean Pennell, who has terminal cancer, married longtime love Kay Beaman at Colchester Hospital on June 18, 2026.
The couple is pictured here.(SWNS)She added to SWNS, "Dean proposed when we first got together — but with 10 children between us, money would not allow."She added, "We were planning to get married this year, but with the situation as it was, we decided to bring the wedding forward."BRIDE IS WALKED DOWN WEDDING AISLE BY MAN WHO RECEIVED HER LATE FATHER'S HEARTThe couple were joined by their family and friends, including their 10 children and some of their 18 grandchildren.The event was organized in less than a week by a variety of hospital staff members, SWNS noted.Beaman, front left, and Pennell, front right, at Colchester Hospital, along with Langham Ward manager Lucy Everett, matron Emma Davis and patient flow coordinator Donna Knox.
Family and friends are shown in the background. (SWNS)Said Beaman, "It was very hard for Dean.He had been so excited in the lead-up to the wedding, and I would get a phone call from him at the hospital every morning telling me how many days there were to go until the wedding."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERShe said that "when the ...