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 Smith, 1st Baronet He was created a baronet on 16 August 1660. In 1666, he was High Sheriff of Leicestershire. Smith married firstly Constance Spencer, daughter of Sir William Spencer, 2nd Baronet of Yarnton, Oxfordshire. He married secondly by licence dated 4 May 1682 Frances Lady Weston, widow of Sir Richard Weston and daughter of Sir George Marwood, 1st Baronet. His third wife was Bridget Baylis, widow of Richard Baylis of Woodford, Essex. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Edward. Sir Edward Smith, 1st Baronet Sir Edward Smith, 1st Baronet (c. 1630 – 6 September 1707) was an English landowner