RIP Janet Reno, Guest Post by John Kozyak
Janet Reno passed away this morning after living with
Parkinson’s Disease for more twenty years. I had the privilege of being
Janet’s friend and I am so grateful that I had a chance to say good-bye several
times over the weekend. Some said that she was enjoying all the love in
her house, which had been built by her Mother. Others said she was waiting
until Hilary was elected the first woman President and others acknowledged that
this brave woman had never given in easily to anything in her 78 years.
The
NY Times already has an
obituary online, which provides a glimpse into the public part of Janet’s life. I
particularly like
“Ms. Reno was never a natural fit in Washington’s
backslapping, backstabbing culture.” In
this ugly election, this might be one of the best compliments for a strong, brave
woman, who approached each day of her life wanting to do the right thing. She
did so much better than the rest of us and that is why she is
legend to me and many.
I had no familiarity to Parkinson’s Disease when I first
met Janet 40 years ago or when she was diagnosed in 1995, but I sure did after
my Mother found out she had it about 14 years ago and my Father received the
same news 3 years later. I will never forget telling Janet and having her
comfort me. She gave her phone number for my Mother to call her. My Mother
loved the photograph that Janet signed and loved her visits with her. Janet
lived gracefully with Parkinson’s until fairly recently. She continued as the
Attorney General and tried to beat Jeb Bush as Governor. She set an example for
people living with Parkinson’s and she set an example for so many more to live
life to the fullest , to be humble and to do the “right thing”.
She certainly set an example for women. After graduating
from Harvard Law, she had difficulty even obtaining a legal job because of her
gender and she went on to become the longest serving Attorney General in the
United States. When she came to the Minority Mentoring Picnic, young women law
students and everyone else loved being with her. She spoke often with encouragement
and sincerity. I never heard her complain about the gender discrimination or
her Parkinson’s.
For the past 3-4 years, Janet has been the Honorary Chair
of the National Parkinson Foundation’s Moving Day in Miami. She and her family
joined with mine to form Team Kozyak & Reno, which usually had the most
walkers. Moving Day will take place in Miami this Sunday, November 13
th
in Museum Park in Miami. Janet’s health did not permit her to attend last year,
but I am positive her niece, Hunter and her daughters and other friends will
join Janny in spirit. I’d be honored if you’d walk with
Team Kozyak& Reno this coming Sunday morning.
This is
not a solicitation for donations, but more
of a request for a group hug in honor of a wonderful woman. I am sharing two
photos of Janet at Moving Day two years ago. I love the first one with her
sister, Maggy. Sorry that it doesn’t include Hunter’s face, but she is
behind Janet.
I could not be more proud that the Reno family has been
so supportive and welcoming. I will never, ever forget sitting in Janet’s
bedroom on Friday night while her sister, Maggy, her nephew , Doug, niece ,
Hunter, and several others recited long poems with such enthusiasm. I had
learned that this was a family tradition when Janet’s brother, Mark, passed
away 2 years ago. It was amazing. Yesterday, I barely missed a small group
holding hands around Janet’s bed and singing “God Bless America”. It was not
easy saying good-bye yesterday, but the love in the Reno home helped so much.
I don’t want to tell my Mother that Janet Reno has passed
and think it is best to wait until I see her next week in St. Louis.
Love,
John
