A daughter was left speechless when her mother asked for her help in researching assisted suicide. Gayle Hamer, 82, sent a heartbreaking text to her daughter, Shannon Bennett, expressing her exhaustion with life and her desire to explore this option. Hamer had been battling esophageal cancer for eight years, and when her condition became terminal, she made the difficult decision to seek medical aid in dying. Bennett, from Boulder, Colo., shared the emotional experience of supporting her mother’s wish.
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Hamer’s battle with cancer had left her with limited abilities and persistent symptoms like dizziness and loss of appetite. Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, her quality of life continued to decline. Feeling like she had lost the ability to enjoy the things she once loved, Hamer felt that she had the right to choose when her suffering should end. She expressed her wishes to her children, acknowledging the challenge she was presenting them with, but wanting to prepare them for her decision.
In Colorado, where Hamer resided, medical aid in dying has been legal since 2016. This option allows terminally ill patients to end their lives with prescribed medication, administered by themselves without the direct involvement of medical professionals. Different from euthanasia, where doctors administer the medication, medical aid in dying empowers patients to control the timing and manner of their passing. Hamer’s son, Ty Hamer, expressed his support for his mother’s choice, understanding the relief it brought her from prolonged suffering.
On March 20, 2025, Gayle Hamer peacefully ended her life surrounded by her children after taking the prescribed medication. While the family grieves their loss, Shannon Bennett acknowledges the importance of having the option of medical aid in dying for those facing unbearable pain and misery. She highlights her mother’s bravery in making this decision, ensuring that others are aware of the choices available to them at the end of life.
Discussing her feelings post her mother’s passing, Bennett shared that she is navigating her grief during her mother’s favorite season, spring, which they would typically spend playing golf together. Despite her sadness, she recognises and respects her mother’s courage in choosing how she wanted her journey to end. Bennett hopes that by sharing their story, people will understand the significance of having control over one’s end-of-life decisions.
The experience of Gayle Hamer and her family sheds light on the complexities surrounding end-of-life choices, particularly in the context of terminal illnesses. While the topic of assisted suicide remains contentious, stories like these underscore the importance of compassion, empathy, and respect when considering such deeply personal matters. The legalisation of medical aid in dying in certain states offers individuals the opportunity to make decisions that align with their beliefs and values as they face their final days.
As society continues to navigate discussions around death, dying, and individual autonomy, narratives like Gayle Hamer’s contribute to a broader conversation about end-of-life care. Such stories prompt reflection on the importance of dignity, compassion, and choice in supporting individuals through their final journey. Gayle Hamer’s courage in sharing her story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in end-of-life decision-making and the profound impact it has on loved ones left behind.