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About this seriesHow could a newspaper pry into such personal events? How could a photographer take pictures of a man as he lay dying? Intrusive as that was, Milton and Linda Howe thought their story might benefit others. Milton said it was the most important thing he'd ever done.
Like the newspaper, Hospice officials believed such a story would help communicate the common experience of loss. For 18 months, though, Hospice couldn't find a couple willing to participate. Then they approached the Howes, who already had helped Hospice with a promotional circular. Reporter Collins Conner and photographer Jack Rowland met the Howes on July 26, 1995. These were the ground rules: The newspaper would chronicle events, personal and intimate though they might be. Linda and Milt agreed, on one condition: The importance of religion in their lives could not be disregarded. They were interviewed almost daily until Milt died two weeks later. For the next 12 months, Conner and Rowland shadowed Linda, at church, at doctor appointments, on trips. They talked with her as often as four times a week. The Times provided the Howes with a tape recorder so they could record their thoughts and feelings. Linda said it became like a "security blanket," and she would talk into it when she was overcome by sadness and fear. Linda said she and Milt were honored that their story would be told, and that sharing her history and emotions helped Linda to better understand both. Milt said his only regret was that he wouldn't live to read it. | |
More than two years ago, the Times wanted to write about what it's like for a widow to cope with the death of her husband. The newspaper turned to Hernando-Pasco Hospice Inc. for help finding a couple willing to share their lives and their struggle with sickness and grief.