Barbara Barrie's Final Words Shared by Daughter Amidst Medical Assistance
Oscar-nominated actress Barbara Barrie concluded her life with medical assistance, surrounded by family, who will continue her advocacy for the right-to-die.
Actress Barbara Barrie, celebrated for her roles in "Suddenly Susan" and "Breaking Away," died at the age of 95, having chosen medical assistance to end her life. Her daughter, Jane Harnick, shared that Barrie’s final words were an exchange of love with her family: "As she was falling asleep, we all just said, ‘We love you.’ And she said, ‘I love you too.’ And those were her last words."
Barrie passed away peacefully at her Manhattan home on Wednesday. Harnick stated that her mother had been a long-standing advocate for medical aid in dying, expressing a desire for years to have the option to "take something and go to sleep" when her time came. "She just really believed that that was a human right," Harnick told Page Six.
The family is committed to honoring Barrie’s wishes by continuing her advocacy and raising awareness for the cause. Barrie's final days were spent finding solace in cherished activities. She had hip replacement surgery last year, which allowed her to spend her final summer swimming in the ocean, an activity she deeply loved.
"She just went out on her own terms and it’s what she wanted," Harnick said. Despite her declining health, Barrie maintained a sense of peace and agency. "We were planning her death and her memorial at the same time and she was fine with it," Harnick recalled. "She was weighing in on who should speak and what the music should be and she was really fine with that. She was ready to go. She knew 95 was old enough."
Barrie’s terminal cancer diagnosis three weeks prior to her death was described by her daughter as the ultimate cause that weakened her significantly. "It really weakened her all over. She didn’t feel it, but it was taking its toll," Jane said.
Barrie, an Oscar nominee, had a career spanning decades, earning acclaim for her versatile performances. Her decision to pursue medical assistance in dying was fully supported by her family, who recognized her lifelong commitment to advocating for this right. "She had the most incredible life," Jane said of her mother. "She did everything she wanted to do, she had the family she wanted. It was 100 percent her decision, and we all supported it."