97-year-old twins who died together remembered as inspiring

The family of 97-year-old twin sisters who died in freezing temperatures after falling outside one of their homes says the two lived with charm, grace, kindness and style.

Police say Jean Young Haley and Martha Young Williams died after they fell outside Haley’s house in Barrington on Friday and became stranded in the frigid cold. A neighbor found them Saturday morning.

Overnight temperatures in the area dropped to as low as 11 degrees, with wind chills as low as minus 8.

Their family issued a statement Monday thanking people who have extended condolences and recalling the pair as an inspiration with a great passion for life.

Police have said it appears Williams fell in the driveway, and Haley fell as she tried to go call for help.

The sisters frequented Eats Restaurant in Seekonk, Massachusetts, several times a week, owner George Mihailides recalled Monday.

Mihailides said seeing the sisters always made him smile. He often asked them about the secret to a long life and he thinks their upbeat attitude was key.

“They were extraordinary,” he said. “A real class act.”

One of Haley’s longtime neighbors also described her as upbeat and said she always looked forward to dinner dates with family and friends. Haley lived along the Providence River waterfront in Barrington for more than 60 years.

The twins had returned to Haley’s home from dinner Friday night with their 89-year-old sister. The younger sister left the twins at some point before they fell, police said.

The home of Jean Haley sits along the Providence River waterfront Monday, March 6, 2017, in Barrington, R.I. Jean and her twin 97-year-old sister Martha Williams froze to death Saturday after they fell outside the home and were stranded there during one of the coldest nights of the winter. A neighbor found the twin sisters the next morning. (AP Photo/Jennifer McDermott)
This undated photo provided by the Haley family shows Jean Haley, of Barrington, R.I., when she was about 25 years old. Jean and her twin 97-year-old sister Martha Williams froze to death Saturday, March 4, 2017, after they fell outside Jean’s home in Barrington and were stranded there during one of the coldest nights of the winter. A neighbor found the twin sisters the next morning. (Haley family via AP)
This undated photo provided by the Haley family shows Martha Williams, of East Providence, R.I., when she was about 25 years old. Martha and her twin 97-year-old sister Jean Haley froze to death Saturday, March 4, 2017, after they fell outside Jean’s home in Barrington, R.I., and were stranded there during one of the coldest nights of the winter. A neighbor found the twin sisters the next morning. (Haley family via AP)
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