‘Thanksgiving Grandma’ Wanda Dench’s Husband Died in 2020. Now She’s Open to ‘Finding Second Love’

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Lonnie Dench, Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench in 2016.Photo:Tom Tingle/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK

Tom Tingle/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK

One holiday friendship has captured hearts across America: the unique bond between“Thanksgiving Grandma” Wanda Denchand her stranger-turned-friend Jamal Hinton.

But this year, it is Dench, 67, who is now ready to capture a very particular kind of heart — the heart of another romantic companion.

“I don’t like being alone, and I miss my husband,” Dench toldThe Arizona Republicin an interview published on Tuesday, Nov 26. “I wish he was still here, but that’s not reality.”

Despiteher recent cancer diagnosis, Dench said she and Hinton will still get together for Thanksgiving in November “as we have every year.” But next year, she’s hoping she’ll add a new romantic addition to the table, and it was theGolden Bachelorthat inspired the idea.

In an Oct. 16 post onX(formerly known as Twitter) from Hinton, Dench said: “After watching theGolden Bachelorlast year that gave me hope that I could still find love in my senior years. So continue getting your checkups, and continue to live YOUR life!”

“[The show] gave me hope that I could start dating, and maybe find a second love,” she toldThe Arizona Republic.“And it would not be the same, but it would still be genuine.”

Jamal Hinton (center) and his girlfriend standing next to Wanda Dench, who holds a picture of her late husband Lonnie.Jamal Hinton/ Instagram

Jamal Hinton/ Instagram

Their story went viral and now they’ve become annual social media sensations. Since their first celebration, thousands of people have liked photos from their Thanksgiving Day, which Dench and Hinton share on their social media accounts.

This year marks the ninth Turkey Day they will spend together. However, during their nine-year streak, Dench has faced some emotional hurdles. In 2020, her husbandLonnie Dench died of COVID-19 complicationsduring the early stages of the pandemic.

From left: Lonnie Dench, Wanda Dench, Jamal Hinton and guest.

Then, in an October, she revealed her breast cancer diagnosis. As of present, she’s already completed chemotherapy treatment and she will begin radiation treatment about two weeks following Thanksgiving.

Thankfully, Hinton’s friendship with Dench has remained a constant bright spot throughout the years.

“I feel blessed to have him in my life,” she told the outlet, adding “He’s changed my life for the good.”

source: people.com