PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- George and Lori Schappell, who were the world's oldest living conjoined twins, passed away on April 7 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, as stated in their obituary.
They were born on September 18, 1961, in West Reading, Pa. The twins reached the age of 62 years and 202 days, surpassing the second-oldest pair of female-born conjoined twins on record by nine years, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Lori and George were craniopagus twins, joined at the head with separate bodies.
George made the decision to come out as transgender in 2007. Before transitioning, George briefly went by the name Reba, inspired by the country artist Reba McEntire.
Both graduates of the Hiram G. Andrews Center in Johnstown, Pa., Lori and George had worked at Reading Hospital in the past.
According to their obituary, the twins had been living independently since they were 24 years old.
In 1997, the pair shared with filmmaker Antony Thomas how they maintained separate lives and supported each other's individual pursuits. The footage can be viewed on the True Lives YouTube channel, showcasing the twins welcoming Thomas into their home.
Similar to his namesake Reba, George was a country singer himself. Whenever he needed time to practice, the twins would retreat to George's room, allowing Lori to provide him with a quiet space.
"This is her sanctuary, I am physically present here, but this is her domain," Lori expresses in the video.
"I treat this area as if I am on stage at a concert, and yes, she must not disturb me or engage with me while I am rehearsing," George shares in the documentary.
"Just because we are physically connected and cannot physically separate, it doesn't mean we cannot have our own moments of solitude away from others or even ourselves," Lori adds. "Individuals who are conjoined can still maintain a sense of privacy."
"When you love and respect the person you are with, you will provide them with the space and understanding that you would want for yourself," George concludes.
Lori pursued her own interests, particularly enjoying bowling - a passion that earned her multiple trophies, as mentioned in her obituary.
According to Guinness, the twins had designated separate rooms in their apartment and would take turns spending nights in each room.
Lori and George made a special appearance on the iconic Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, which was broadcast on Labor Day.
The duo also graced the screens of various TV talk shows and documentaries, showcasing their talent and charm to a wider audience.
