Conductor Edward Downes and wife Joan die in assisted suicide clinic
In a statement, their son and daughter, Caractacus and Boudicca, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our parents Edward and Joan Downes on Friday, July 10.
“After 54 happy years together, they decided to end their own lives rather than continue to struggle with serious health problems.
“They died peacefully and under circumstances of their own choosing, with the help of the Swiss organisation Dignitas, in Zurich.
“Our father, who was 85 years old, almost blind and increasingly deaf, had a long, vigorous and distinguished career as a conductor.
“Our mother, who was 74, started her career as a ballet dancer and subsequently worked as a choreographer and TV producer, before dedicating the last years of her life to working as our father’s personal assistant.
“They both lived life to the full and considered themselves to be extremely lucky to have lived such rewarding lives, both professionally and personally.
“Our parents had no religious beliefs and there will be no funeral.
“They will be missed by Caractacus, Boudicca, Omar and Zeki, as well as by many family members and friends.”
A controversial move to relax the law on assisted dying was thrown out by the Lords last week.
