MERRY RENK CURTIS

I only met Merry once when I visited her this spring. She was receiving hospice care, but wanted to die on her own terms. As the northern California clinical coordinator for Compassion and Choices, I counseled Merry about voluntarily stopping eating and drinking. She thanked me and said she'd decide when to begin.

I was truly impressed by Merry's candor, humor, and fighting spirit.