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 Champernowne Joan Champernowne Joan Champernowne (died 1553) was a lady-in-waiting at the court of King Henry VIII of England. She became a close friend to his sixth wife, Queen Catherine Parr. She married Sir Anthony Denny, who at the end of King Henry's reign was widely considered to be his most trusted servant. Joan was born in Modbury, Devon on an unknown date, but no later than 1513, the daughter of Sir Philip Champernowne and his wife, K(C)atherine Carew. She married Sir Anthony Denny, son of Sir Edmund Denny, by whom she had twelve children, including: Joan was considered to be