Edward Downes after his health declined following a hip replacement. Lady Downes was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer that metastasised to her liver, and given only weeks to live. Lady Downes wrote a letter to family explaining that she had decided against treatment and that: Sir Edward, aged 85, and Lady Downes, aged 74, ended their lives by assisted suicide at the Dignitas clinic in Zürich, Switzerland, on 10 July 2009. Although Joan did not want the children present, Dignitas encouraged it and "Ted and Joanie" were reported to be pleased when the time came. Their children issued a statement speaking of
Sir Edward Dering, 3rd Baronet she was coheiress to her brother Sir Hugh Cholmeley, 3rd Baronet, who had died as a child. The given name Cholmeley was often used in the Dering family from this point, the first being their son Sir Cholmeley Dering, 4th Baronet. Lady Dering died 20 October 1704 and was also buried at Pluckley. Sir Edward Dering, 3rd Baronet Sir Edward Dering, 3rd Baronet (18 April 1650 – 15 October 1689) was an English Member of Parliament and baronet. He was the eldest son of Sir Edward Dering, 2nd Baronet of Surrenden Dering House in Pluckley, Kent and his wife Mary