Oldest living conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell of Reading, dead at 62

READING, Pa. - The world's oldest living conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell of Reading, have died. The twins died last Sunday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. They were 62 years old.

"They lived just two doors down from me on the same floor," says Kankou Gerew, a neighbor.

Over at their Reading apartment building, the Schappells lived a normal life, winning over the hearts of many with their positive spirit, which was featured in documentaries and on numerous national talk shows over the years. They even appeared in an episode of the television show "Nip/Tuck."

"They were famous!" Gerew says. "People who would come to my building, they heard that they lived here, and they would ask me, do you know the twins? I'd say sure! They're my friends, I know them very well!"

The siblings were born with partially fused skulls, with Lori facing one direction and George the other. Because George was 4 inches shorter and suffered from spina bifida, Lori wheeled him around on a stool wherever they went. But that didn't slow them down.

"They lived a full life, a happy life," Gerew says.

For years, Lori worked in a hospital leaving George to sit for hours with a book. When George, previously known as Dori, embarked on his music career, Lori supported him on stage through all his concerts. Together, but living separate lives, with separate hobbies, relationships, schedules and even bedrooms, the two were unstoppable, thriving against all odds, always with smiles on their faces.

"The thing I remember most is how friendly they were," Gerew says. "They would never walk by without speaking like most people in this building."

Guinness World Records says they were nine years older than the previous record holders. They died at 62, doubling the life span of 30 which doctors had predicted for them.

The twins spoke with 69 News in 2001 when they met former Pennsylvania first lady Ginny Thornburgh.