Barbara Barrie died on Wednesday (28.10.26) after choosing a medically assisted death following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Barbara Barrie’s daughter has revealed the actress’ final words before she died at the age of 95.
The Suddenly Susan star passed away on Wednesday (28.10.26) at her home in Manhattan, New York City, after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis and dying with medical assistance, surrounded by her daughter Jane Harnick, son Aaron Harnick and son-in-law Adam Freifeld.
Recalling their final moments with the Oscar nominee, Jane told the New York Post’s Page Six: “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.”
Barbara’s health declined three weeks ago after doctors diagnosed her with terminal cancer, prompting her family to start planning for her death and memorial.
Jane said: “That’s really what did it … It really weakened her all over. She didn’t feel it, but it was taking its toll.
“We were planning her death and her memorial at the same time, and she was fine with it. 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.
“She was 95; 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. She’s an advocate for that right.”
Barbara had been a “huge advocate” for the right to die with medical assistance, and she wished to have control over the circumstances of her own passing.
Jane said: “She wanted it to be her path.
“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.’
“She just really believed that that was a human right.”
The Breaking Away entertainer continued to take comfort in the familiar daily routines she loved while spending her final days at home.
Jane said: “She was at home and would spend the mornings reading the New York Times, listening to [WQXR Radio], talking to us as though she were herself.
“But the reality was, she was completely dependent on others to do anything, so it was surreal to see those two sides of her.”
Barbara underwent hip replacement surgery last year in the hope of easing her pain in her final year, and she wrote a heartfelt thank-you letter to her doctor before her death.
Jane said: “Some doctors wouldn’t do it. We found the one who would. And he was incredible. [Barrie] wrote to him at the end of her life and said, ‘Thank you, you’ve made my last summer perfect.'”
The One Potato, Two Potato alum was able to enjoy her last summer by swimming in the ocean following the surgery.
Jane said: “She loved the ocean more than anything, and she just went out on her own terms, and it’s what she wanted.”
Barbara Barrie’s final words revealed
