Veteran actress Barbara Barrie, best known for her roles in ‘Suddenly Susan’ and ‘Breaking Away’, chose to end her life with medical assistance at her Manhattan home after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The 95-year-old’s decision was supported by her family, with her daughter, actress Jane Harnick, opening up about how her mother approached her final days and why they stood by her choice.Speaking to Page Six, Jane revealed that her mother had believed in the right to medical aid in dying long before her cancer diagnosis. She said Barrie had always been clear about how she wanted to spend her final moments and was grateful that New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act had come into effect just in time for her to exercise that choice.
Barbara Barrie’s daughter says family supported her decision
Recalling her mother’s long-held views, Jane said Barrie had often spoken about wanting to pass away peacefully rather than endure a prolonged illness.“For years and years, her whole life before she was ever sick with any illness, she always used to say, ‘When my time comes, I just want to take something and go to sleep,'” Jane told Page Six.She added that her mother strongly believed medical aid in dying was a human right. Before the law was introduced in New York, Barrie had even considered travelling to Switzerland or Vermont, where the option was legally available.Jane also spoke about her mother’s gratitude towards New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act in January. The legislation officially came into effect in August, allowing eligible terminally ill adults to request life-ending medication through their doctors.“She was so grateful that it had been instituted in New York State really in the nick of time,” Jane said.
‘She was ready to go’: Daughter recalls mother’s final days
Barrie was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this month, and her health deteriorated rapidly. According to Jane, the actress was admitted to hospital around three weeks before her death, where she was informed that she could exercise her choice under the new legislation.Despite her diagnosis, Barrie remained involved in decisions surrounding her final days. She continued reading the news, listening to her favourite radio station and even participated in planning her memorial service.“We were planning her death and her memorial at the same time and she was fine with it,” Jane recalled, adding that her mother had opinions about who should speak and what music should be played.“She was ready to go. She knew 95 was old enough,” she added.Jane also revealed that her mother began experiencing pain on her final day, and the family and medical team were able to coordinate the process accordingly.
Barbara Barrie’s final words to her family
The actress died at her Manhattan home on Wednesday, surrounded by her daughter Jane, son Aaron Harnick and son-in-law Adam Freifeld.Recalling their final moments together, Jane said the family told Barrie they loved her as she was falling asleep. The actress responded, “I love you too.” Those were reportedly her last words.Before her death, Barrie had also expressed a wish for her family to continue advocating for medical aid in dying.“She was an advocate for a lot of things during her life, and to go out on this one is what she would have wanted,” Jane said.Emphasising that the decision was entirely her mother’s, Jane added, “She had the most incredible life, she did everything she wanted to do, she had the family she wanted. It was 100 percent her decision, and we all supported it.”Barbara Barrie was an accomplished American actress whose career spanned theatre, television and films. She was widely recognised for her performances in ‘Breaking Away’ and the sitcom ‘Suddenly Susan’. Beyond acting, she was also a passionate advocate for medical aid in dying, a cause she remained committed to throughout her life.
