John J. O’Connor III, Husband of Former Justice, Is Dead at 79

[Are_grits_groceries]

John J. O’Connor III, a lawyer whose struggle with Alzheimer’s disease was a large factor in the decision by his wife, former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, to retire from the United States Supreme Court, died Wednesday in Phoenix. He was 79.
<snip>
Mr. O’Connor received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s nearly 20 years ago. When Justice O’Connor announced her intention to retire from the court in 2005, she said her decision was based in large part on the need to care for her husband.

And this is poignant beyond words. I get something in my eye when I read about it.

In recent years, Justice O’Connor has been an outspoken advocate for increased Alzheimer’s research. In 2007, when it became known that Mr. O’Connor had become romantically involved with a fellow Alzheimer’s patient at an assisted living facility in Phoenix, the O’Connors’ son Scott told a local television station that his mother was not upset. Scott O’Connor said his mother was glad that the relationship had significantly improved her husband’s frame of mind.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/us/12oconnor.html?hp

RIP Mr. Connor!
Kind thoughts and sympathy to you, Justice Connor.

[juajen]

1. She's a brave lady. NT

[niyad]

2. I'll never forgive her for her part in Gore v Bush--but my sympahties to her in her loss.