It is with profound sadness and deep reflection that the Mesa community mourns the tragic passing of Jerome and Katharine Woolums, a devoted couple whose lives ended in a heartbreaking incident early Thursday morning at a local senior living facility.
According to the Mesa Police Department, officers were called to the facility around 6:30 a.m. after reports of an emergency involving two residents. Upon arrival, responders discovered both Jerome and Katharine deceased inside their shared apartment. Authorities have not released full details of the circumstances surrounding the incident, but investigators have confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Neighbors and staff described the Woolums as deeply devoted to one another — a couple whose love and companionship were evident to everyone who knew them. They had been married for more than five decades and were remembered as kind, warm, and gracious members of the community.
“They were inseparable,” said one staff member who had worked closely with the couple. “You could see how much they cared for each other every single day. It’s heartbreaking to think they’re gone.”
Friends and family have begun sharing memories of the Woolums’ enduring bond — their shared laughter, their faith, and their gentle presence that brightened the lives of those around them. “They were the kind of couple you looked up to,” said longtime friend [Name]. “Their love was genuine and lifelong.”
As the investigation continues, grief counselors have been made available to residents and staff at the senior living facility. Community members are also organizing a candlelight vigil to honor the couple’s memory and celebrate the love and kindness they brought to others throughout their lives.
“Jerome and Katharine’s passing leaves a void that words cannot fill,” said one family member. “But their love — steadfast, enduring, and unconditional — will live on in the hearts of all who knew them.”