Roz Hervey had hours left to live. She asked her family to press record
In life as in art, dancer Roz Hervey wanted to push boundaries. She choreographed her own death, and in her final moments made an impassioned plea.
In the final hours of her life, Roz Hervey, a 58-year-old Adelaide-based dancer and artistic director, requested that her family record a video message. Composed and determined, Roz stated, "I am ready," to her husband Geoff Cobham and children Tilda and Huey Cobham-Hervey. She emphasized the importance of having the opportunity to die with dignity, choosing her surroundings, loved ones, and a peaceful passing.
Roz, diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2022, had two years to live when she approached her death with a "seize the day" mentality. She aimed to raise awareness about voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and express her frustration with the existing legal restrictions. Roz's last creative mission was to have her family document her final message, which her daughter and renowned actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey carried out by interviewing her mother and creating a life story recording.
The process allowed Roz to connect with the things that truly mattered and brought her and her family a surprising amount of joy amidst their grief. Roz's dedication to her work, her control over her life, and her passion for art were characteristic traits that extended to her approach to her impending death.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
