John O'Connor Dead, Husband Of Sandra Day O'Connor Died Of Alzheimer's Complications

WASHINGTON — John J. O'Connor III, the husband of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, has died.

The court said that O'Connor, 79, died Wednesday in Phoenix, Ariz., of complications arising from Alzheimer's disease.

John O'Connor, himself a lawyer, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's nearly two decades ago. His condition deteriorated markedly in mid-decade and when she announced her retirement in 2005, the justice cited the need to care her husband.

The O'Connors were married in 1952 and became a leading couple on Washington's social scene when they moved from Arizona in 1981 following her confirmation as the first woman on the Supreme Court.

Following her retirement, Sandra O'Connor made public her family's battle with Alzheimer's and became a vocal supporter of additional money for Alzheimer's research.

The family also shared a poignant development, saying that O'Connor struck up a romance with a fellow Alzheimer's patient after moving into an assisted living center in Phoenix. The relationship changed his outlook for the better, their son, Scott, said, adding that his mother was just glad that he was comfortable.

John O'Connor had practiced law in Phoenix for nearly a quarter century before his wife's ascension to the Supreme Court. He continued his work in Washington, also providing support and reassurance to a new justice in a historic role. O'Connor also had legendary skill as a teller of humorous stories, often delivered in expert dialect.

The O'Connors met as students at Stanford University's law school, where another student at the time was the future chief justice, William Rehnquist. They were married at the Lazy B Ranch in southeastern Arizona, her childhood home.

O'Connor is survived by his wife, three sons, Scott, Brian and Jay, and six grandchildren. Memorial services will be private.

Comments

[Uosdwis]

Could you maybe take back your seat from Sammy Alito now?

[Aldyth]

Alzheimers is truly the long goodbye. John O'Conner was gone long before his body died.

Stem cell research appears to be our best hope for a successful treatment to this horrible disease. May all those working on it be given the resources and inspiration they need so that one day, no one will have to lose themselves this way.

[RTIII]

Sandra Day O'Connor had a long and distinguished carrier that was to live in our hearts for a generation at least because she tried to bring balance and mitigate some of the harm of a too-far-to­-the-right court, and she destroyed it all one day when she voted to violate the constitution in as clear-cut a violation as one can imagine by selecting George W Bush as president in 2000. From that led two massive wars we shouldn't have been in - at least one of them an international war crime war of choice which we were lied into - and countless loss of life, especially innocent civilians. ...not to mention all the other horrific actions of the W presidency. ...And _she_ gave it to us, explaining her vote later that she wanted a Republican in the white house.

So, by her own words - reported right here on HP - she violated the constitution because of partisan politics.

THEN she had the gall to back this up with another insult to the nation by stepping down to ensure she was replaced by a Republican president - and later lamented to us - also reported right here on HP only a month or so ago - that she was disgusted by the actions of the Roberts court and wished a woman had succeeded her.

While I lament John's passing, we only remember John because of Sandra - too bad she is now a disgraced "Justice."
.

[osusana]

My sincere condolences to Justice O'Connor and the extended family. The poigniancy of the story of his illness and the family's acceptance and apparent comfort with his emotional bonding with another patient in his nursing home was so very touching, and spoke so warmly of Justice O'Connor and her sons, and their reaction. What I took away from reading their story when it first broke was that his family simply (and very deeply) loved him and felt fortunate that there was a relationship in his life that was meaningful at a time when so much of his life was simply forgotten to him. This tells me that Justice O'Connor and her family knew a great deal about loving.

[ncmom54]

may the good memories of him live on in her heart...

[MNmommy]

Bless.

My condolences.

[factotem]

She has to endure one d=ath. We have to endure the aftermath of what she allowed to happen to this country, when she put Bush in the White House.

[meede]

Tells me what your mother was like from your comment. She seems to have_puked_you up.

[scooperss]

So sorry. My mother had passed away several years ago from complications from Alzheimer's. many people don't realize that most who die do so from complications not the disease itself. I watched a wonderful woman gradually get lost and wither to a bed ridden shell of herself.

[BarryS]

so-called husband. She hasn't released the DNA tests proving that she is a female and he was a male.

[meede]

Tells me what your mother was like. She seems to have_puked_you up.

[oregondaisy]

What? Did she turn you down in high school or something?

[meede]

My heart goes out to Judge O'Connor. To have a loved one with Alzheimer's for nearly 2 decades, that is extremely diffcult.

It does say he was well taken care of as the disease usually takes people from us sooner. Home cared Mom for 6 years.

It's true what they say - It's a long good-bye.

[justadood]

My sincerest condolences on her loss. I'm also terribly sorry that his condition forced her to retire early for his care, eliminating one thoughtful, moderate voice from the Supreme Court.

John O'Connor was a good man, he'll be missed by a great many people.

[kareemachan]

My heart goes out to his family. Having had a family member with this truly horrific disease, I know something of what you go through.

[alguien]

my condolences to the family.

[abbienormal]

Justice O'Connor has suffered considerably through her husband's illness. She has my utmost respect for the way that she has handled herself during these difficult times and for her choices. If you will remember, she quit the Court in order to attend to her husband's needs.

My heartfelt condolences go to her and her family.

[fem56]

Don't they say behind every great woman is a great man. My condolences go to the O'Conner family. Wish Justice O'Conner had continued on the court but bless her for taking care of her husband and family. She obviously loved her husband enough to want him to be happy.

[chicagurl]

I can't say anything more or better than has already been said here. My deepest condolences and sympathy to the O"Conner family.