Warning: This article contains discussions of assisted dying that some readers may find upsetting.
A daughter assisted both of her parents in ending their lives according to their wishes, unveiling the profound emotional journey behind fulfilling their final request.
Corinne Sharpe shared a particularly close bond with her parents, Eva and Druse Neumann. Yet, nothing prepared her for their request in 2021, when they sought her support in using medical aid in dying (MAID) to pass away together.
The decision was fraught with internal conflict for Corinne, but four years later, she has spoken about the emotional burden of that choice and her belief that her parents deserved to choose their departure on their own terms.
At 92, Corinne’s mother had lived a long life but faced severe heart problems. Diagnosed with aortic stenosis in 2018, she was given a grim prognosis by doctors.
“The doctors basically gave her 18 months, maybe two years to live without a pretty invasive surgery,” Corinne recounted to PEOPLE magazine.
Eva opted against the surgery, choosing instead to let nature take its course. However, in April 2021, she suffered a fall that led to hospitalization.
The ordeal was overwhelming for her husband Druse, who experienced stress-induced stroke-like symptoms after visiting Eva in the hospital.
In the following months, Eva decided to pursue MAID under Washington State’s Death with Dignity Act. This decision left Druse, who was 95, confiding his fears to Corinne.
Corinne recalled: “I had a very interesting, serious heart-to-heart conversation with him one evening after my mom had gone to bed. And he was just panicked like, ‘What happens to me if she goes first?’ – that’s always been a concern of his.
“He couldn’t see a scenario where he would want to continue if mom was gone.”
Ultimately, Druse chose to follow Eva’s decision and apply to die alongside her. Doctors approved his request, presenting Corinne with what she described as a ‘painful paradox’.
Corinne moved in with her parents, creating a series of cherished memories by cooking their favorite meals, sharing champagne, and reminiscing about her childhood. They even joked about picking a ‘death date’ to avoid birthdays or holidays, finally choosing Friday, August 13, 2021.
The night before their passing, Corinne arranged a special dinner for them, which she described as “The Last Happy Hour” rather than “The Last Supper.”
“I made my dad’s favorite appetizers, and we sat around and had our glasses of wine and my dad went to bed,” she explained.
“My mom and I sat around on the deck and then she crawled into her bed. And I asked if I could lay down and sleep with her for a little bit… It was perfect.”
The following morning, two counselors from the nonprofit organization End of Life Washington were present to assist with the process.
“The counselors prepared the cocktail, we sat around and shared some private moments together. They got to sit in their own bed and hold hands with each other and talk before they were able to take the meds,” Corinne shared.
“We put music on and they took the cocktail. Then we poured a glass of wine and we had a final toast. About 10 minutes after they drank it, they went to sleep.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.