This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8561918.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Failed 'mercy killing' wife dies Failed 'mercy killing' wife dies
(40 minutes later)
A woman convicted of trying to kill her husband in 1998 in what she said was an attempted "mercy killing" has died in an assisted suicide in Switzerland.A woman convicted of trying to kill her husband in 1998 in what she said was an attempted "mercy killing" has died in an assisted suicide in Switzerland.
Vicki Wood, 67, from Harbertonford, Devon, who had a lung disease, spoke of her intention to die at the Dignitas clinic five years ago. Vicki Wood, 67, from Harbertonford, Devon, who had a lung disease, spoke of her intention to die with assistance from Dignitas five years ago.
The artist was sentenced to two years probation in 1999 for trying to kill her husband Tim, who had dementia. The artist was sentenced to two years probation in 1999 for trying to kill her husband Tim, 69, who had dementia.
The office of Anthony Steen MP said it had been informed of the death. He died later that year from natural causes.
Legal fightLegal fight
Mrs Wood took her husband out of a care home in October 1998 and attempted to end his life at their home.Mrs Wood took her husband out of a care home in October 1998 and attempted to end his life at their home.
She was arrested after she called the emergency services and police because she feared he had been injured when he fell to the floor.She was arrested after she called the emergency services and police because she feared he had been injured when he fell to the floor.
She later admitted attempting a "mercy killing".She later admitted attempting a "mercy killing".
I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction Anthony Steen MPI met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction Anthony Steen MP
After being given probation, Mrs Wood - with the aid of Mr Steen, the MP for Totnes - succeeded in a legal fight to be her husband's carer as social services had begun moves to obtain guardianship rights over him. After being given probation, Mrs Wood - with the aid of Anthony Steen, the MP for Totnes - succeeded in a legal fight to be her husband's carer as social services had begun moves to obtain guardianship rights over him.
Mr Wood, a former teacher at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, had suffered from irreversible dementia since 1993 and was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in 1998. Mr Wood had suffered from irreversible dementia since 1993 and was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in 1998.
The 69-year-old died in July 1999 from natural causes. He had been a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society. The former teacher at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, had been a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society.
Following the announcement of Mrs Wood's death, Mr Steen said: "I'm very sorry Mrs Wood felt it was the only option left to her.Following the announcement of Mrs Wood's death, Mr Steen said: "I'm very sorry Mrs Wood felt it was the only option left to her.
"I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction."I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction.
"I visited her late husband in a nursing home when he had advanced Alzheimer's and was unable to recognise his wife or do anything for himself - it was quite heartbreaking."I visited her late husband in a nursing home when he had advanced Alzheimer's and was unable to recognise his wife or do anything for himself - it was quite heartbreaking.
"This is a very sad ending to two tragic stories.""This is a very sad ending to two tragic stories."
'Immeasurable good''Immeasurable good'
Prior to Mrs Wood's death, she had agreed an obituary written by her friend, Andy Christian.Prior to Mrs Wood's death, she had agreed an obituary written by her friend, Andy Christian.
It described her as having led a "bountiful life" and being a "loving wife and an enviable godmother".It described her as having led a "bountiful life" and being a "loving wife and an enviable godmother".
Mr Christian also wrote: "Vicki has touched and enriched the lives of so many of her friends and fellow makers.Mr Christian also wrote: "Vicki has touched and enriched the lives of so many of her friends and fellow makers.
"She leaves a gap which will only be partially filled by the works she has left behind."She leaves a gap which will only be partially filled by the works she has left behind.
"For those of us who are lucky enough to remember her bright, questioning eyes and her warm, intelligent smile she has passed on something of immeasurable good.""For those of us who are lucky enough to remember her bright, questioning eyes and her warm, intelligent smile she has passed on something of immeasurable good."