This is an odd one—a radio play, a docu-drama, about how we, as a culture, deal with death and dying. Ruth Tuck is a fictional character, an elderly woman who dies alone in a hospital. She has one friend, two daughters, and an ex-husband who don’t talk to each other. Before and after she dies, Ruth is cared for by professionals, people who are paid for their services. It’s a sad story, with both actors and “real” people. I wish I could remember their names, but I do not.

The Death of Ruth Tuck aired nationally on a short-lived “radio art” series (the name I’ve also forgotten) in 1986. I know Joe Frank heard it in Los Angeles, because he called and said he thought it was real. I said, no, it’s a play.

Thanks very much to Kenny Larsen for coming up with Ruth and her family.

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