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
Joan, Lady Campbell wife was never Duchess of Argyll. The duke died, aged 69, in Inveraray Castle in Argyllshire and was buried at Kilmun Parish Church. Having been predeceased by his elder son John in 1837, he was succeeded in the dukedom and his other titles by his second son, George. Joan, Lady Campbell Joan, Lady Campbell (c.1775 – 22 January 1828), formerly Joan (or Joanna) Glassel(l), was an American-born Scottish heiress who was the second wife of John Campbell, 7th Duke of Argyll, and the mother of the 8th Duke. Joan was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the only daughter of John Glassel