BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Ten years ago, Vermont was in the throes of heated debate over the so-called “death with dignity” bill, a measure that would allow very sick Vermonters to end their own lives. Opponents called it doctor-assisted suicide and many religious groups testified against it. The debate took years, but eventually, Vermont became the first state to enact the law through legislative action. It’s a law a Burlington man says is a gift to taxpayers, his friends and family, and himself.
Bill Mares’ resume can’t fit on one page — Marine, journalist, beekeeper, brewer, lawmaker. singer. teacher, and best-selling author. “Aside from getting married, this is the happiest time of my life,” Mares said.
When we spoke last week, the Burlington man who died Monday, said he was ready for the final chapter of his life. The 83-year-old was diagnosed in July with lymphoma, a terminal diagnosis. But he refused to let the cancer kill him, instead opting for the state’s so-called death with dignity law. “It’s time to choose. I’ve got to choose, and this is what I’ve chosen,” he said. “God bless the people of Vermont who have given us all the right to make this choice.”
Mares chose hospice help for his final days — personal care and the company of friends– before taking a lethal dose of medication at home. Under Act 39, people with less than six months to live — with a doctor’s approval — can choose to end their lives after being deemed mentally competent to make the decision.
So far, 281 Vermonters have used the law since it was created. Twenty-six out-of-staters have also traveled to Vermont since the law was amended last year to allow non-residents. “The public policy should be giving this person who has their marbles the right to decide when to leave the planet,” Mares said.
Reporter Darren Perron: It’s very interesting to be sitting across from someone, interviewing someone, whom I know will be gone in just a few days.
Bill Mares: I don’t know what kind of metaphor you want. I leave in complete gratitude for being able to run my mouth these last days, and a row of books, and a wonderful family.
Part of the decision-making was done with Chris Hadsel, his wife of 53 years. “And she kissed me and said ‘Fine, it’s your decision.’ And no elaboration, and I love you. and the kids were the same way,” Mares said.
“He really didn’t want to end up in the hospital, didn’t want a lot of tubes and lingering,” Hadsel said. But her pragmatic approach doesn’t hide the hole Mares’ death will leave. “It’s going to be bad to not have anybody in the house. You know, if I’Il come in the door, there’s the dog, there’s Bill. So… but I’ll manage…yep.”
Mares’ ashes will be spread near the family’s Northeast Kingdom camp. “They’ll sprinkle my ashes where we got married on the hill in St. Johnsbury,” he said.
The church-going Episcopalian believes there’s everlasting reward after death. But before his death — and despite years of hard work — mares felt he had one more job to do. “I’m on a crusade,” he said, hoping that sharing his story with Channel 3 can help get a national death with dignity law introduced in Congress.
He talked with Sen. Peter Welch about it, and so did we just hours later. “There are significant safeguards in place. So, I support what we did in Vermont and I’d advocate for it in Washington. But I do think that the state-by-state approach is what is going to be essential before you’d get a national piece of legislation,” Welch said. He says the U.S. isn’t ready for a national law.
“I am living the results of the right that I want everyone to have, which is a right to decide,” Mares said. “I am happy I’ve had this wonderful life.”
He knew going into his final moments, that he had made his hopes known. And on Monday, the prescription was delivered. Close friends got in some quick visits. Then, with only family at his side, he made some last-minute jokes, they said their goodbyes, and he took the powder mixed in a favorite Vermont beer — Conehead. Hadsel says he was gone in a matter of minutes. It was peaceful, and in her words, “perfect,” just as Mares wanted.