Several editors debated whether our obituary should refer to the tragic circumstances surrounding Suzanne Killinger-Johnson's death. One proposal was simply to announce her death and ignore these facts. In the end, we decided that this would do no one a service. Shrouding such events in silence in our view perpetuates the stigma that still, unfortunately, accompanies mental illness and suicide. We also felt that omitting any reference to the death of Killinger-Johnson's child would be disrespectful of the importance of that young life. Physicians experience medical problems every bit as severe as those faced by their patients. We hope that acknowledging such incidents when they occur will raise an awareness that may, perhaps, help to prevent future tragedies.