Husband of retired Justice O'Connor dies

Published: Thursday, Nov. 12 2009 12:11 a.m. MST

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 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 for her husband.

Following her retirement, Sandra O'Connor became a vocal supporter of additional money for Alzheimer's research.

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