When Stritch moved back to her hometown of Birmingham, MI, Peters remained in touch, visiting the actress and speaking with her frequently by phone. Towards the end of her life, Stritch became confused, which Peters said bothered the elder actress, and she decided she would end her life as she had lived it, on her own terms. Stritch basically stopped eating and drinking until, as Peters said, with a lump in her throat, "Elaine Stritch has left the building