. >> reporter: gene mallory was married to vermont's former congressman dick mallory. the republican represented the state in the 1970s, and then returned to vermont as a leader in state politics. state. come. >> reporter: after being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2004, mallory and his wife began the effort to bring physician-assisted suicide to vermont. >> we just hope it's in time for us that's all. >> reporter: but despite their televised appeal, early versions of the law failed. dick mallory took his own life in 2011. >> reporter: it was a beautiful fall day, and i came home and found a note on the door. >> reporter: can you share what it said? >> to jeanie and my family, the time has come. i have done everything that i wanted to do, and i don't -- i don't regret my life. he knew it was going to be a shock to me, but i feel that this is what people who make this decision go through. they weigh the benefits, and -- and the burdens. he certainly didn't want to put us through watching him become helpless and -- and he didn't want to be nursed, you know?