Around 10:45 on the morning of Feb. 25, Lee Goguen asked her father if he had any last requests.

The death that was coming to 70-year-old Gerald Goguen was the death he had chosen weeks in advance and his wife of 41 years had chosen to go with him.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008, Gerald’s health had started to deteriorate sharply in the months leading up to Christmas. Coby Goguen, 62, also had cancer that had spread and eaten into her bones. Both were racked with pain and wanted out.

Lee said she wanted to see her parents relieved of their suffering and was grateful they had the option to end their lives on their own terms.