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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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 OBITUARY 
9

Husband of Retired Justice O'Connor Dies

John O'Connor, 79, suffered Alzheimer's complications

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(AP) – John J. O'Connor III, the husband of retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, died today at age 79 due to 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 for her husband.

Following her retirement, Sandra O'Connor made public her family's battle with Alzheimer's and became a vocal supporter of additional money for research. The family also shared a poignant development, saying that John O'Connor struck up a romance with a fellow Alzheimer's patient at 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 he was comfortable.

Then-Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and her husband John are seen in a 2004 photo.
Then-Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and her husband John are seen in a 2004 photo.   (AP Photo)
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Deebles
Nov 11, 09 9:48 PM CST
Oh, my sympathies to Justice O'Conner. But, she told of her husband falling in love with another women in his nursing home in the same condition with the same unraveling brain and how she just sat and watched and was happy that he was happy. That is love and he seems to have had loads, so he passes with much love which is all you need. She is fine too, because it is the loving that gives you peace--not the being loved. Reply
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Silverbow7
Nov 12, 09 1:17 PM CST
I admired that about her too. What you say about love is right on. It is loving that gives us peace and joy.
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Count-Spatula
Nov 11, 09 10:11 PM CST
She gave us Bush.. I hope she gets to sit around thinking about that for the rest of her years. Reply
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Deebles
Nov 11, 09 10:28 PM CST
No. She did not give us Bush--Fox news did. All the other networks stopped with Florida on that November in 2000, but Fox declared a winner as per Ailes order and when they declared it the others sorta went there and then the Supreme Court which was inclined to not start a revolution over voting went for the guy that TV did. And Gore, as nicely as Nixon when he got an election stolen shut his trap for the sake of the republic. I never watch squat on Fox because they stole that election because CNN is just too nice and stupid. But, you probably watch so that you can get mad at Beck. Worse than O'Connor--and this is about her dead husband, not her bad opinions. When you act like this you are as ugly as Palin.
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prowlerzee
Nov 12, 09 12:05 AM CST
Shut up, Deebles. She DID give us Bush. She wailed about how horrible it was that Gore might win and then she wouldn't be able to step down. Let that be her legacy. I would literally spit on her if I ever saw her. As for her husband's passing all I have to say is one down, one to go. And I need a date to dance on her grave when it's her turn.
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The O'Connors' beautiful love story - Susan Campbell...
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