CNN is reporting that John O'Connor, husband of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, has died.
Justice O'Connor retired from the Supreme Court in 2006 to spend more time with her husband. He'd been diagnosed with Alzheimers a number of years earlier, but when his condition began to deteriorate, she decided to step down.
I remember with great respect a television interview with her about her husband - he had forgotten his life with her and was smitten with another woman (also suffering from Alzheimers) at his care facility. Justice O'Connor accepted it with grace and love, happy that he was finding comfort with someone, and accepting the cruel fate that denied her that role.
As many times as I've regretted that Justice O'Connor is no longer on the Court, I've always admired her willingness to reorganize her priorities to address what's truly important. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family today.