By Emma Granquist Houghton and Chris Haring
Rita Mannebach’s journey from Florida to Vermont for medical aid in dying highlights the importance of accessible end-of-life options for patients everywhere.
When 84-year-old Rita Mannebach, a former teacher and end-of-life doula from Florida faced advanced lung cancer and recovery was no longer a treatment goal, she knew she wanted to die with dignity and autonomy. Even though it meant traveling from Florida to Vermont, she was committed to fulfilling her end-of-life wishes.
Honoring decades of compassionate end-of-life advocacy
Rita’s dedication to end-of-life care began long before her diagnosis. For 15 years, she served as a hospice worker and end-of-life doula in Florida, helping terminally ill patients navigate their final days with dignity and compassion. Throughout her career Rita also worked as a teacher, school counselor, and principal, dedicating herself to supporting and guiding others.
Before her terminal diagnosis, her firsthand experiences with those at the end of life deeply influenced her advocacy for physician-assisted dying. As Alison Novak wrote for Seven Days, Rita’s observations of the impact of Florida’s lack of Death with Dignity fueled her support for passing similar legislation in her home state. She recalled patients asking, ‘Why does it have to be this way?'” She knew that in states with medical aid in dying, it didn’t have to be this way.
A teacher until the very end
Upon a concerning CT scan, Rita’s health began taking a significant turn for the worse. However, she remained determined to have control over her final moments. With the support of her brother, John Cummins, and Patient Choices Vermont, she navigated the necessary steps to qualify for medical aid in dying under Vermont’s law. Rita’s last days were a testament to her lifelong dedication to education and advocacy. She organized a memorial service that reflected her values, featuring readings, music, and symbolic acts of letting go.
Days before she took the medication, Rita even gave a presentation on why she chose to use medical aid in dying, maintaining her commitment to educating others on the right to die. “She remained true to her role as a teacher to the very end,” her brother John remarked.
Reducing barriers to medical aid in dying
Rita’s journey from Florida to Vermont, while a testament to her determination to die on her own terms, highlights a significant issue: no one should have to travel to access medical aid in dying. Individuals choosing this option often have to leave behind their families and healthcare teams, with whom they may have lifelong connections. Those facing terminal illnesses should be free to make autonomous end-of-life decisions without the added barriers of relocating. A person’s geographic location should not restrict their ability to choose a dignified end.
Rita, along with others who have traveled to access medical aid in dying, should not have had to leave their state to die with dignity. Her story reminds us of the fundamental right to personal autonomy. Rita’s advocacy, even in her final moments, highlights the urgent need for widespread legislative change to ensure compassionate end-of-life options for everyone.
For more information about accessing Death with Dignity in Vermont (and Oregon) for out-of-state residents, please visit our website.