“A deliberate and courageous choice”
Dr. and Mrs. Gute
In the summer of 2010, I got a call from my good friend, Mary Gute-Witte, telling me that her parents, Dr. Daniel and Katherine “Kitty” Gute, had taken their own lives.
Mary Gute-Witte and her husband, Ned.
Several years prior, Mary’s mother had been diagnosed with dementia, and due to other complications, her physical and mental health was fading fast. Prior to her diagnosis, though, Mary says her parents had made a pact that they would die together– and not in a nursing home.
The subject of suicide is one that is close to me; years ago, my brother took his own life. Mary’s story got me thinking more about end of life issues, and also one’s right to choose the way in which they leave this world.
I’ve asked Mary to come in and share the story of her parent’s very deliberate, very well-thought out choice with me, and with all of you, on this podcast.
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Dear TCD and Mark Metcalf,
Thank you all for posting and doing the interview on this pertinent subject of aging and death.
MGW
I was very interested in this podcast because I had two loved ones in my family who suffered from dementia prior to passing away. I also had a sister who took her own life. I find it comforting that the woman who was interviewed was strong in her convictions and sounded content with the event that happened in her life.
However, while I was going through those sad times with my family members who had dementia – or with the suicide of my sister, NEVER once did I then or do I now feel that politics needed to be a part of it!
Perhaps I am the only one who feels like this, but I feel strongly about it. When presenting such a pressing and emotional subject like this on your website or anyone’s website for that matter, a viewpoint explaining the opposite view should be presented.
If you want a one sided story on taxes or that Republicans are asses, then fine, I don’t have a problem with that. But to have such a one sided bias on such an issue like this is quite frankly almost as sad as the passing of my loved ones itself.
Thank you for listening, Bill, and also for your comments. As the Managing Editor of ThirdCoast Digest and also the producer of these podcasts, let me assure you that this particular podcast is simply one story on the subject. In no way is this publication taking a political stance, nor is it advocating any one side of this complex and sensitive issue. We were lucky to have Mrs. Gute-Witte in to share her experience, and that, plain and simple, is what this podcast is about.
A remarkable document. Thanks Mary and thanks Mark. — Strini