At 88 years of age Ms O'Connor reports having "beginning stage of dementia and and no longer able to participate in public life."
As one approaching 80, I can attest that everyone around that age is aware a declining memory, that while disturbing, still leaves the experiences of a lifetime accessible. Of course, memory loss does mean that at times one repeats something that he/she may have said days, maybe even hours before. But we elders adjust, and can even laugh at such difficulties.
What is not lost is the uniqueness of our experiences, the array of books read, conversations shared and syntheses of complexity that is ours, and ours alone. There is a reason that many cultures revered the wisdom of sages, by definition not having the fluidity of expression of youth.
The medical profession operates on a taxonomy of illnesses, and it not attuned to focusing on the residual abilities that remain in spite of the ravages of ageing.
Forget about that letter you have sent. Continue to be available to observe and opine on the challenges that our world is now facing. If it takes a bit longer as you reach for the exact word, we will be patient. and admire you more for making the effort.
8
NYT conveniently refuses to allow comments on the other article, about O'Connor's plea for bipartisanship. I wish Justice O'Connor the best, but I will say without pity: it does no good to call for comity only after you have relinquished power. O'Connor had the power to act in a bipartisan manner and she dodged nearly every time, because it was hard.
5
Judge O'Connor should definitely contact Dr, Dale Bredesen of UCLA and undergo his Bredesen Protocol. He has developed a comprehensive approach to dementia that is having great success. He has a web site drbredesen.com that explains it all.
3
In her honor please VOTE "BLUE".
Don't let the "Trumpsters" keep control of our Republic. Get all registered voters 18+ years to the polls.
6
A seven part test no one factor controls any one factor is dispositive is how she made tough decisions.
In the realm of politics she broke a barrier that should never have existed. For that she is a hero.
To the legal world, well... she broke a barrier that should never have existed. For that she is a hero.
2
Bravo for her work on getting civics back into schools. I only wish she'd proposed making voting mandatory.
1
I hope that Justice O'Connor's revelation will spur Congress to enact common sense legislation regarding age limits for the Supreme Court. I know what the Constitution says. However, the condition of dementia was unknown when the Constitution was written. It's important to safeguard our nation in this way. The same thing should be done in all 3 branches of government. When our nation was founded the average lifespan may have been 60 years at best. Now it's over 80 in most cases. A mind can start going before age 60. We now know that Reagan was suffering from some form of dementia during his presidency. I worry that Trump is suffer-ing from some form of mental illness. Real bipartisan legis-lation to protect the nation and give us better leadership will make our nation only greater.
8
Justice O'Conner is doing the right thing for the nation as she retires from public life due to her knowledge of what will happen to her with this dreadful illness. I am sorry this is happening to her. We should beg her to speak seriously with Mr. Trump(and the Congress) about also doing the right thing . We all hope that he or Congress is still sane enough to recognize and admit that he is cognitively deteriorating and unable to function competently in his current position. His behavior alone proves that he is suffering from some kind of mental disorder as he exhibits the classic symptoms of dementia through his inability to control his thoughts, speech or understand the consequences of his actions.
1
She didn't have to write the letter (nor NYT this article) if there were a nice aid, like wheelchairs for deterioration of the legs, for dementia. We have glasses for eyes, hearing aids for ears, prosthetic fingers and arms, but unfortunately, nothing for Alzheimer’s at this moment. I hope this will change in the near future.
1
"[T]he decision in the Florida election case may be ranked as the single most corrupt decision in Supreme Court history, because it is the only one that I know of where the majority justices decided as they did because of the personal identity and political affiliation of the litigants. This was cheating, and a violation of the judicial oath." -- Alan M. Dershowitz
"At an election night party, Sandra Day O'Connor became upset when the media initially announced that Gore had won Florida, her husband explaining that they would have to wait another four years before retiring to Arizona." -- NYTimes.
Justice O'Connor may be a lovely person and deserves sympathy for her personal circumstances, even accolades for her efforts at civic engagement.
But in her public life she was a ruthless partisan who turned the Supreme Court into a legal thug for corporate America and Big Money against working Americans, unions, and equality both political and economic. She once declared Dubya the best president we've had.
Her legacy includes the Senate's illegal refusal to Advise and Consent on Merrick Garland, the lives of American soldiers wasted in Iraq, the big money corruption of democracy and Donald Trump. With Gore she regretted the decision but not the outcome.
From a NYT interview: "...O’Connor’s comments...have to set some kind of record for detachment (she calls the court on which she sat for 25 years “it” — avoiding the more apt “we”).
Detachment indeed.
11
I will always be grateful to Sandra Day O'Connor for being a true judge...non-partisan, apolitical, smart as a whip, with courage and ethics and not a flaw on her admirable reputation both personally and professionally. Justice O'Connor elevated the Court in so many ways, not least of which being the first woman to sit on that prestigious Bench. We have her to be grateful toward for our wonderful Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayer, and Elena Kagan.
I can not help but think of the difference between the two Republican presidents involved in nominating first Ms O'Connor and so many years later Mr. Kavanaugh. Who would think that I as a Democrat would look to Ronald Reagan as an example of what a conservative party should stand for? To juxtapose Trump with this former president above is jolting, just as it is to place Ms. O'Connor side-by-side with the most recent addition to the Supreme Court. How our democracy has degraded itself in so few years.
My prayers and thoughts are with Justice O'Connor. May she some how find peace and comfort during perhaps this most challenging of struggles in her long, fulfilling, and accomplished life.
3
I'm curious as to when an announcement like this one merits an "obituarial" tone. When does an individual's public acknowledgement of their own lack of capacity call for a prolonged review of their accomplishments, situations and personal history, outside of the story itself?
I'm not being snarky or sarcastic in the slightest. I admire Justice Day O'Connor for a number of reasons, and disagree with her on a few points too, because that's how people used to think about and treat each other. I'm simply curious from a purely journalistic standpoint — we never covered that in J School.
A fine piece, to the writers, and the editorial staff. And a fine person. Thanks for the reporting.
2
Bush v. Gore
The Death of Democracy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_v._Gore
https://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/oconnor-regrets-bush-v-g...
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/justice-oconnor-regrets
41
@Socrates: Here's a link to add to your Bush v. Gore memorial to democracy; it's to David Kaplan summarizing a point in his book, "The Most Dangerous Branch: Inside the Supreme Court's Assault on the Constitution": https://www.npr.org/2018/09/02/644185178/new-book-warns-of-the-supreme-c.... Here is the comment (Kaplan speaking): "But what I report in the book, her husband, John O'Connor, shortly after Bush v. Gore, told a dinner table of guests at a charity function that his wife knew that the decision was wrong when she made it in 2001. But she did so because she wanted Bush to win. She didn't feel she could - that she wanted to retire under a Democratic administration, and that meant siding with Bush. She wanted to leave the court because her husband was increasingly ill with Alzheimer's."
The sentiment within Justice O’Connor’s public letter is more than a statement of gratitude and honor for being the first woman Justice, but an admiration for being American and the opportunities that can arise.
1
I join many others below in expressing my appreciation for this great lady - and a Republican at that.
I wish this reporter had inserted this story that the Justice herself related. I may be rephrasing.
Caring for her husband in his own waning days, the Justice said,"I marvel at the way my husband is handling this adversity. Everytime, he sees me - he treats me as his new girlfriend - not knowing who I am. He is so child like sweet about the whole thing - it makes me blush.". Or words to that effect.
A great example for all Americans - and the 43rd said it best for all.
3
@ Neil
A judge should never be know for their political affiliation.
Especially one who has never had to run for office.
I’m so very sad to read this. She was an inspiration to many - men and women - who care about justice, this country and all it’s people.
These words by Justice O’Connor brought tears to my eyes and a ‘yes’ to my mouth.
“Effective participation by members of all racial and ethnic groups in the civic life of our nation is essential if the dream of one nation, indivisible, is to be realized,” she wrote. She has been sorely missed on the Supreme Court.
I wish her better days ahead than worse and the ability to share them with those that love her.
5
There is much to admire about Sandra Day O'Connor, but she will be remembered most for her vote in Bush v. Gore in 2000. It was a dreadful mistake and the damage incalculable. And no mention at all in this article -- NYT what are you thinking?
22
@Rich Connelly
I wish I could like this a thousand times.
6
@Rich Connelly
Hear, hear!
Never a truer word said
God bless Justice O'Connor. She will never be forgotten.
3
I was fortunate to hear her speak and take questions during a community forum in our small mountain town about 12 years ago. I swear I could feel the power of her intellect and wisdom emanating from her throughout the room. The ease at which she took the questions and comments from the audience, some quite critical and detailed, and almost played with each one - tossed it around to examine the premise, possible approaches, and her articulate responses - was something I had never experienced before nor since. It was effortless yet profound. I often describe it as watching the world’s best mental gymnast. Hearing this news is a reminder that we should treasure those rare minds among us.
2
So sorry to hear this. In one of her last interviews in 2016, she said she did not agree with the Republican strategy of keeping a post vacant till after the election.
8
My best friend died last year after a bout with the Alzheimer's. He used to do the Times' crosswords in ink, was a world class Scrabble player, and -- among many other things -- taught me how to order off-the-menu in Chinese restaurants. Having dabbled once in the car-parts business, he was capable of identifying a water pump lying in the street as belonging to a 1956 Buick Riviera.
A self-described “fresh-air inspector” who inherited a safe deposit box full of money from his father who was a bookie, he lived a gentle life full of minor jobs, dogs, books, bridge, jazz, a good wife and numerous friends to whom he was equally devoted to.
He laughed at everything I said, and on dark, rainy days the memory of his laughter still keeps me going.
The major decisions we make in life are made for us for us by chance, beginning with the parents we choose to be born to. You sit down next to a stranger in a diner and walk out an hour later with the best friend of your life.
My very best wishes to Justice O'Connor.
16
the best way to honer her is to heed her words (read the letter attached to this article) - inspire civic duty and commitment among our young fellow americans (wouldn't hurt at all if older americans decided to be civic minded and make use of the main privilege available to us - VOTING!).
I hope the newest Justice (I will not dignify him with publishing his stained name) will also read Justice's O'Connor's letter and reflect deeply. Then, follow in her footsteps, even though her shoes are way too big for him.
I always respected Justice O'Connor for nor being an ideologue. Her opinions relied on a fair interpretation of the law as well as her life experience. Wish we could have several more like her.
4
Justice O'Connor's conservatism legacy WOULD be well served IF Justices Alito, Kavanaugh and Thomas would perform their responsibilities in her image. . .non-political, non-ideological, ONLY concern is for "“Effective participation by members of all racial and ethnic groups in the civic life of our nation is essential if the dream of one nation, indivisible, is to be realized.”
A rather tall order for these 3 angry, ideologically blinded men. . .but IF they desired to, they could change.
6
That's a heck of a cogent letter for someone already several years into dementia. Bravo.
I understand the pull-back from public life. When you're not yourself -- at any age -- privacy and peace are the greatest gifts.
(I myself rarely engage any more. I'm too changed, and it is too frustrating for me to 'deal' with / in many situations.)
So, Ms. O'Connor, may you have those things that matter, in abundance, with the help, love and support of family, friends and colleagues.
3
She was such an inspiration to me,when she was appointed to the Supreme Court.I was 25,3 years out of college.The job situation,in the rural area I moved back to,was dismal.But I was determined to find my way.I did.But women like Sandra Day O'Connor,were so important back then, and sadly we still need women to inspire all of us, especially the young women.
7
She will forever be remembered for her importance as a member of the Supreme Court, and for her leadership as a role model.
May her final years be peaceful.
8
Here we go, people lauding O'Conner because she is inflicted with a disease that thousands are diagnosed with every day. Sickness or death should not automatically make someone a great person.
I have more sympathy for someone with the same affliction that does not have gold plated free government insurance.
5
@Paulie
You are mean spirited and lacking in basic human decency . She has contributed so much to our country. It's not a crime to have medical insurance as well.
13
@Paulie
She is being lauded, and rightly so, for a lifetime of service and her place as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
1
Justice O’Connor, citizen and patriot. If you have not already done so, read her opinions... She will remain timeless, a study in grace, intellect, grit and stature. Count me as one of many Americans who consider myself blessed to have lived in her time.
7
She was a lady to be admired but I wonder if she would be receiving such accolades if she had been a conservative. Her views on certain issues like abortion were quite liberal at the time and she affected certain policies like late term abortions. This was something that many found to be the wrong decision. The baby was very well developed and to many it seemed extremely inhumane to kill at this stage of development even those who favored abortion. I am glad it was finally reversed and that abortion has seen more restrictions placed upon it. People's opinions have changed since this court decision thank goodness. She still is to be commended for paving the way for female justices and judges.
1
How many people at her age do not have dementia? I would guess not many.
4
She may have had an admirable legacy were it not for her decision to join (bow to pressure from?) Scalia et al and play politics in December 2000.
It’s so sad that her thoughtfulness and clear thinking will be overshadowed by that one bad decision. So unfortunate, as with LBJ.
17
Thank you, Sandra Day O’Connor, for having the courage and strength to be the first female Justice on SCOTUS and thus further opening the doors to courthouses, law schools, and young female minds to the fields of law and jurisprudence.
It takes a strong and brilliant head to break through a glass ceiling! So sorry for her and her family. And wish them well and wish them strength.
You will long be remembered and honored, as will the sacrifices your family must have made that made it possible for you to pave the way.
6
Grace, dignity and wisdom. We were lucky to have her. Thank you, Sandra Day O'Connor.
This also highlights how terrifying old age can be, since it is full of health-related unknowns. As for myself, if I live to be 90, I want a way out that I'm in control of.
8
Let's not forget that Justice O'Connor voted to end the Florida recount in 2000 which handed the presidency to George W. Bush. She later stated publicly that she regretted that vote. Too late. She also publicly stated after her retirement that she had become disillusioned with the Republican party which had moved so far to the right that it had become irresponsible in important ways. Good for her.
36
@Annie
Too little, too late.
11
@Annie I hope she is judged harshly for her contribution to the Bush legacy and decades of war, and the hard right wing agenda she has helped to usher in the US.
8
@Charlotte
Remember that famous line ...Let her who has no regrets cast the first stone...
1
Thank you Justice O'Connor for sharing your struggle with dementia. Your bravery and courage are greatly appreciated especially with this disease on the rise. Both my parents are struggling with some form of dementia and I know first hand how difficult it is for them and for the rest of my family. Let's hope more funding will lead to prevention or cures for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Best wishes and thank you for your service to our country!
3
This is heartbreaking news. I rue her vote in Bush v Gore, but prefer to focus on her enormous intelligence, ability, professional achievements and character. She is one of America’s finest.
4
@Melinda RussellNot for me she gave us Bush
4
This gracious, generous, and good person truly made a positive and lasting difference in the lives of many. What more could one desire from a limited time on this earth.
2
May God Bless you Justice O'Conner.
Thank you for your kindness and wisdom.
Your service to our country is what makes America great!
May others follow your supreme example.
3
Thank you for your service and guidance Justice O’Connor. Also, thank you for sharing your diagnosis.
Sincerely
5
I understand the wonderful and powerful message Justice O'Connor has conveyed to women but I'll never fully accept her as a heroine after her clearly partisan vote in 2000--Gore vs Bush. She installed Bush/Cheney in the WH and they took us into the Iraq war within a blink of an eye.
In my opinion that is her legacy.
So sad, I wanted her legacy to be more positive but in the end the black stain of politics will prevail as an asterisk after her name.
23
I am saddened to hear of her Alzheimer's struggle. Her brilliant mind may be dimmed but in our memories, she will always be a bright and shining light!
2
This will seem trivial to some, but I want to thank the New York Times for selecting the photograph used to accompany the stories of Justice O'Connor's diagnosis of dementia and the recap of her career.
This photo, taken in profile, shows her strength and grace, as well as (dare I say it?) her beauty in old age.
16
Godspeed to Justice O'Connor.
So a hated Republican appointed her, how interesting. It is sad that this disease is so damaging and has few if any treatments.
3
I remember the thrill of the nomination of this outstanding woman to be on the Court.She more than held her own on the mostly male Court.She was wise, authoritative and gracious and an inspiration to all.She has been a guiding light as a human being and as a Justice.We should be grateful that she shared so many years of her life helping us be better Americans,Fortunately she has left us the gift of wise decisions on the Court.
2
“We must reach all our youth, and we need to find ways to get people — young and old — more involved in their communities and in their government,”
I agree but when the government seems to be fighting against us it's very hard for anyone to want to get involved. Since Sandra Day O'Connor retired the court has stood against the people of the United States more often than not.
I was thrilled to see a woman appointed to the Supreme Court in 1981. I was equally thrilled to see Ruth Bader Ginsberg appointed but for different reasons. What does not thrill me has been the devolution of the highest court of our country becoming a mouthpiece for one group of people in America and one group alone: rich conservatives and corporations whose sole aim in life is to keep 99% of us as poor as they can.
I can't help but feel that this process started when the Supreme Court took on Bush v. Gore. It was not a wise decision and we're paying for it now.
39
A moderate who treated both her colleagues and those presenting to her with civility and respect. Hmmm... After the bitterness of the recent SCOTUS confirmations based on the profound ideological distrust on both sides, perhaps the US and the cause of justice itself would be better served by nominating more people like Justice O’Connor. Having made this observation, I am not so naive as to think it will ever happen. The sides are too entrenched and the system is just too broken.
10
@Tom McAllister I bet all the justices do this. The bitterness of politics seems not to continue into their service.
2
She is and represented a true Conservative. The human race and the United States of America was graced by her presence and her political and legal activities. Thank you, God, for having given her to us -- and thank you, Madame Justice O'Connor for your service. Sans peur et sans reproche was used to describe Bayard, but it equally describes this wonderful, wonderful lady.
9
Justice O'Connor is the epitome of a good citizen, and we have been fortunate to have her as part of the national conversation. It is fitting that civics education has been her focus most recently. Goodness knows we need it. I once saw her after her retirement, strolling up Third Avenue in New York, perhaps with a law student. What a noble woman. I wish Justice O'Connor and her family all the best. America thanks you.
14
What a tribute it would be if America used her life as a template on citizenship, courage, decency, and elegance. We need her more today than ever before.
33
Late-onset dementia is generally less aggressive than early-onset, and hopefully that will prove the case in Justice O'Connor's case. After cutting short her career to help her husband in his battle, she deserves a break.
32
This is a woman for the ages who brought to us justice with dignity and power of intellect.
She has been missed on the Court and will be a void in our future.
We are fortunate to have lived in her time.
24
Thank you Justice O’Connor for your service to our nation. I pray your journey is without pain, and may you continue to be the voice of fairness and reason which you so eloquently observe, has slipped away from our society. God bless you.
15
Godspeed Justice O'Connor.
Your life, well lived with grace, patriotism and integrity, is a role model for all.
21
This is very sad news. She served her country well and deserves to finish her life with dignity. #Respect.
13
I worked at Gibson, Dunn & Cruther as a legal secretary. GDC is one of the firms that offered her a legal secretary position. I am so glad that she did not take the offer but went on to a full legal career. She is one of the greats.
21
I'm genuinely moved by this. As a lawyer, she was an inspiration to me: I told my grade school grade teacher I wanted to be a Supreme Court justice when I grow up. I am so glad I got a chance to see her speak about 6-7 years ago before the Philadelphia Bar Association. As a daughter whose father is struggling with dementia, this hits close to home, and I wish all the best to her and her family.
I hope she has inspired others to join the legal and judicial profession and to model their careers after hers. Thank you, Justice O'Connor
17
A great American.
Thank you, Justice O'Connor.
9
@fast/furious not for me she gave us GBush
5
She's the essence of what we used to call "A guy's gal." Not just comfortable around us but genuinely pleased to be with us and our differences in nature. I recall the story of her at a table with John Riggins at some function where he was apparently in fine spirits and he told her to "Lighten up Sandy Baby" and then fell out of his chair asleep at her feet. She didn't miss a beat. She just carried on. She was used to good natured "galoots" growing up on the Lazy B ranch in the high desert. Read her book about it.
She's a bit of thing but had the job of getting lunch to the hands and the truck gets a flat. She wrestles the spare tire on and shows up only 1/2 hour late. Her Dad instead of complimenting her, chastises her, saying "No excuse. These men were hungry. Next time leave earlier." She related in the book how she cried her eyes out when her Dad had to ship her off the Lazy B to go to high school.
Great things often come in itty bitty packages.
Her Lazy B book- suggested stocking stuffer for all the boys and girls.
8
Rode her horse to the one room school house in Scottsdale and achieved great things. The personification of the American Dream.
14
@sob
There is no such thing as "The American Dream". Please.
2
It is a statement of our times that a truly great public figure who has integrity, wisdom and candor - someone who deserves all the accolades and honors they have been given, and then some - receives so little attention. Instead, the vile tweets, uninformed barrages, character assassinations and the general stupidity that comes out of this WH, and out of Republicans running the Senate and the House - that garbage, along with all the damage they are doing - serves as news these days and gets tons of comments.
Thanks to Sandra Day O'Connor. And peace to you.
9
Why can't Trump nominate SOTUS Republican women of intellect and character like O'Connor instead of Goruch and Kavanaugh? .....Oh, I can answer that question: bc if Trump did so, it might unite the country and move us forward constructively.
I met O'Conner several times at Stanford and once hosted a dinner for the Episcopal Church's seminaries where she was the keynote speaker (she has always been an active Episcopalian). She was brilliant, gracious and lovely each time I was with her.
21
@Dolly Patterson Wait until the next nominee for a female, and those two are outstanding justices, you probably don't admit that, but it is objectively true.
@Dolly Patterson
Because all Trump nominees will be vetted by the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation to ensure there won't be any more "surprises". The kind of character and independence exhibited by Judge O'Connor is the last kind of "surprise" they want nowadays.
4
class act!
9
She spoke at my graduation from Colorado College. I was struck by her humility and fairness; a fine person who just happened to be in an extraordinary position. I could never forgive any of the Bush side Justices in Gore v. Bush , and I still can’t, except for her. She was a rare voice of reason and decency on the right.
27
go CC tiger!
When I was in law school, I "played" Justice O'Connor in a year-long seminar in which we debated various cases. In arguing her positions, I was so impressed by Justice O'Connor's scholarship, her civility, and humanity as reflected in her opinions and dissents that the news of her illness leaves me saddened. Still, a life well-lived in love and service....she is a woman who's inspired me!
52
Justice O'Connor's tenure on the Supreme Court showed what made America great, namely, people of reason and maturity in positions of responsibility who were not guided by party politics or ideological purity but instead by experience in the real world and a sense of the live of real people trying to live in it. It is no surprise to me (a liberal Democrat) that many of the best justices we have had in my lifetime have been the appointees of Republican presidents who were chosen for their character and wisdom rather than their allegiance to a particular agenda. I can't say I agreed with everything they said, or with all of their votes in all of their cases, but it's a list that includes Earl Warren, William Brennan, Lewis Powell, John Paul Stevens, David Souter, and Anthony Kennedy. That is to say, they were nominees who came along when we lived in a different and less divided America. Oh, that we could find a way back to that spirit of national decency, unity, and citizenship.
99
She is one of the greats. Certainly inspirational in my lifetime.
I wish her all the best in the coming years. She is showing us all how to remain relevant, men and women.
50
@Regina Rock Well said.
2