Las Vegas Mom Who Fought for Passage of Nevada End of Life Options Act Dies
Jul 19, 2023 Nevada Nevada End of Life Options Act
Lynda Brooks-Bracey Died 2-1/2 Weeks After Governor Lombardo Vetoed Bill
Lynda Brooks-Bracey, a 57-year-old Las Vegas mom with pancreatic cancer, who used her last months of life to advocate for a Nevada bill that would allow have allowed terminally ill adults the option of medical aid in dying to peacefully end unbearable suffering, has died. Her death on June 23 occurred two and half weeks after Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-Nev) vetoed the medical aid-in-dying legislation (SB 239) on June 5 that passed for the first time in both legislative chambers.
“He has made a huge mistake on so many levels,” Lynda said in her last text to Compassion & Choices on June 5, when she was notified that Governor Lombardo vetoed the bill. “My heart is crushing…but we did all we could do.”
Lynda Brooks Bracey
Lynda also did interviews with The Nevada Independent, News 3 Las Vegas. She also wrote an op-ed and an open letter to Governor Lombardo published in Las Vegas Sun. Lynda’s last interview aired on 8 News Now on June 2, just three days before Governor Lombardo vetoed the bill.
“Before you make the decision,” wrote Lynda, “I invite you to my house…to see what my family and others like me might have to endure daily if SB 239 is not signed.”
Gov. Lombardo never responded to Lynda’s generous offer nor met with any bill advocates.
“Don’t ever give up,” Lynda said in her last text to Compassion & Choices on June 5th. “This matters to so many.”
“It was heartbreaking and unjust that Lynda was forced to endure needless suffering at the end of her life,” said Sara Manns, Nevada campaign director for Compassion & Choices Action Network. “Governor Lombardo failed Lynda Brooks-Bracey and the 82 percent of Nevadans who supported this compassionate bill. In Lynda’s memory, we will not rest until we enact a medical aid-in-dying law in Nevada.”
Lynda was born in Flemington, New Jersey, on Dec. 25, 1965. She is survived by her husband, Jeff Bracey, and the couple’s four adult children.
About Compassion & Choices and Compassion & Choices Network
Compassion & Choices is comprised of two organizations that improve care and expand options at life's end: Compassion & Choices (501(c)(3)) educates, empowers, defends, and advocates; the Compassion & Choices Action Network (501(c)(4)) focuses exclusively on legislation, ballot campaigns, and limited electoral work.
Paid for by Compassion & Choices Action Network.
