Sir Edward Downes, a prominent composer with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and his wife Joan have taken advantage of Dignitas, the Swiss organization that helps people die with dignity, and that’s news in Britain.
Downes was 85; his wife, a ballet dancer who became a choreographer and TV producer, was 74. They had been married for 54 years and “died peacefully, and under circumstances of their own choosing” according to a statement from their children.
Last week the House of Lords nixed Lord Falconer’s efforts to make it legal to accompany someone seeking help dying in another country. (I’ve written about the British situation here and here). But if the lawmakers thought that was the end of the matter, they were wrong. Such a high-profile case is sure to prolong the much-needed discussion.
Of course, the deaths aren’t news in Canada and, much to the relief of our politicians, we continue to sleepwalk through our lives oblivious to what awaits us.