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 Robinson Hill of Houston's social scene, but largely led separate lives. For the first six years of their marriage, they lived at Ash Robinson's property, moving from there only after a fellow surgeon suggested the idea to John. Joan continued to focus on her equestrian career, while John devoted his spare time to performing and listening to music. When Joan officially retired Beloved Belinda, the event made national headlines. "Sports Illustrated" reported that a band played "Auld Lang Syne" while Joan led Belinda, covered in a blanket of red roses, around the show ring at the Pin Oak horse show for the