Former first lady Barbara Bush, known for her unpretentious elegance, devotion to family values and the twinkle in her eye, died Tuesday. She was 92.
A statement from the office of former President George H.W. Bush reads, "A former first lady of the United States of America and relentless proponent of family literacy, Barbara Pierce Bush passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2018 ..."
Having been hospitalized numerous times while battling congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Barbara Bush decided Sunday she wanted to be "surrounded by a family she adores," according to an earlier statement released by her husband's office.
"It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself -- thanks to her abiding faith -- but for others," the statement continued. "She is surrounded by a family she adores and appreciates the many kind messages and especially the prayers she is receiving."
Barbara Bush served as the country's first lady from 1989 to 1993.
Former President George H.W. Bush is "broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years," according to Jean Becker, chief of staff at the former president's office. "He held her hand all day today and was at her side when she left this good earth."
Becker said, while it's a "challenging time ... it will not surprise all of you who know and love him that he also is being stoic and strong, and is being lifted up by his large and supportive family."
The couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary on Jan. 6.
"I am still old and still in love with the man I married 72 years ago," she said in the interview published in "Smith (College) Alumnae Quarterly" earlier this month.
"George Bush has given me the world," she also said in the magazine. "He is the best -- thoughtful and loving."
In January 2017, Mrs. Bush and her husband were hospitalized at the same time. She was being treated for bronchitis and the nation's 41st president was being treated for pneumonia.
Barbara Bush is one of only two first ladies in the history of the country who is also the mother of a president. Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, a founding father of the nation and its second president, was the mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth U.S. president.
She is the mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, and Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida who ran for president of the United States in 2016.
During her tenure as the nation's first lady, this mother of six children was a champion for global literacy and continued the work after she and her husband left the White House.
In 1989, she formed the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which encourages parents to read to their children.
"Literacy fits in with so many other things," she once told The Chicago Tribune. "If more people could read, fewer people would have AIDS. There would be less homelessness. I'm absolutely convinced of that."
Barbara Pierce Bush was born in New York City, New York, on June 8, 1925, to Marvin and Pauline Pierce. Her father, a magazine publishing executive, was a descendant of Franklin Pierce, a Democrat and the nation's 14th U.S. president who served from 1853 to 1857. Her mother was the daughter of an Ohio Supreme Court justice and was active in civic causes.
The third of four children, Bush later recalled a childhood where her parents would gather and read around the fireplace, fostering her early love of reading.
She graduated high school from the all-girls private Ashley Hall boarding school in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1940s and enrolled in Smith College, a women's college in Northampton, Massachusetts.
At Smith, which was racially integrated, Barbara Bush became captain of the freshman soccer team, but she dropped out of college in 1945 at the beginning of her sophomore year. She later admitted that she was more interested in her future husband than in her studies.
She had met George Herbert Walker Bush at age 16, while at a Christmastime dance at the Round Hill Country Club in Greenwich, Conn. The pair were immediately attracted to each other and began exchanging letters, even as George H.W. Bush completed his training to become the then-youngest pilot in the Navy. He named his bomber plane "Barbara" in her honor.
The pair were engaged shortly before Mr. Bush left to fly in World War II, and they wed Jan. 6, 1945, while he was on leave.
During her four years as the first lady, and eight years before that as the wife of the vice president in the Reagan administration, Barbara Bush embodied what many believed to be the traditionally dutiful political wife: silent on most issues, but enthusiastically supportive of her husband and family.
In her 1994 book -- "Barbara Bush: A Memoir" -- she revealed her pro-choice stance on abortion, a position that ran contrary to her husband's.
She also reproduced an open letter to her children containing life's credo:
"Value your friends," she wrote. "They are your most valuable asset.
"Love your children," she added. "You are the best children any two people ever had. I know you will be as lucky. Your kids are great. Dad and I love them more than life itself."
The First Lady's funeral will be held at St. Martin’s Church in Houston, where she and the former president have been devoted members for decades.
The Bush family had statements ready and released them quickly on social media.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: “Columba and I join every member of the Bush family in offering our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support for my Mom in recent days, and throughout her remarkable life. I’m exceptionally privileged to be the son of George Bush and the exceptionally gracious, gregarious, fun, funny, loving, tough, smart, graceful woman who was the force of nature known as Barbara Bush. Thank you for your prayers, and we look forward to celebrating and honoring her life and contributions to our family and great nation in the coming days.”
Former President George W. Bush: "Barbara Bush was a fabulous first lady and a woman unlike any other who brought levity, love and literacy to millions. To us, she was so much more. Mom kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end. I'm a lucky man that Barbara Bush was my mother. Our family will miss her dearly, and we thank you all for your prayers and good wishes."
Grandson George P. Bush: "My grandmother's entire life was focused on others. For my grandfather, she was his top adviser and confidante. For her family, she was a steady, loving and guiding hand. And for her country, she was an inspiration and an example for all. ... My grandmother didn't just live life; she lived it well. And the sorrow of her loss is softened by the knowledge of her impact on our family and our country. I will miss you, Ganny -- but know we will see you again."
Other statements of condolences from politicians and dignataries flooded in Tuesday night:
President Donald Trump (via Twitter): "@Flotus Melania and I join the Nation in celebrating the life of Barbara Bush."
Former President Barack Obama: "Our thoughts and prayers are with both Presidents Bush and the entire Bush family tonight. We'll always be grateful to Mrs. Bush for the generosity she showed to us throughout our time in the White House, but we're even more grateful for the way she lived her life -- as a testament to the fact that public service is an important and noble calling; as an example of the humility and decency that reflects the very best of the American spirit."
Former President Bill Clinton (via Twitter): "Barbara Bush was a remarkable woman. She had grit & grace, brains & beauty. She was fierce & feisty in support of her family & friends, her country & her causes. She showed us what an honest, vibrant, full life looks like. Hillary and I mourn her passing and bless her memory."
Former President Jimmy Carter: "The matriarch of a family dedicated to serving, she urged volunteerism as a way for all citizens to participate in our nation’s progress," the Carters said in the statement. "Through her own work to promote literacy as a value in every American home, countless families now have the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives. She will be missed."
Blaise Ingoglia, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida: "Our nation’s hearts are heavy with the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush. Barbara Bush was an exemplary woman and patriot. Her dedication to her family, her community and this country were second to none. As far as First Ladies go, you will find none finer. The undeniable mark she has made on our hearts will live on for centuries to come. We lift the Bush family up in prayer during this most difficult time.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: "Mrs. Bush was always a friend to Canada" who "leaves a legacy of dignity, grace, service and devotion to family."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (via Twitter): "Barbara raised a family of service & character, stood by her beloved husband in the best & worst of times, and spoke her convictions with courage & passion. The great First Lady of our times. Ann and I will profoundly miss her friendship, her compassion, & the twinkle of her eye."
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan: "She [is] so loved by her family and our country. She led both with clarity and character. She shined a light on the power of a parent reading to a child. Her husband, our 41st president, wrote in his last days in office: 'History will show that she was beloved because she was real and she cared and she gave of herself.' Who could say it better?"
Charlotte Hays, director of cultural programs at Houston-based Independent Women's Forum: "Despite her aristocratic origins, Mrs. Bush was unpretentious, and her country loved her for her for it. She made no pretenses about her trademark fake pearls and delighted in the 'America's grandmother' image conferred by her mane of white hair. She firmly believed that literacy was the key to solving many national problems and improving the lives of disadvantaged Americans. To that end, she established and worked hard for The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She ... exerted an important influence on (her son) President George W. Bush, who sometimes traced his outspokenness to his mother."
Brad Parscale, campaign manager for Donald Trump for President, Inc.: “It is with sadness that we add our voice to that of the many Americans expressing their admiration, love and support for Barbara Bush as we acknowledge her passing this evening. The former First Lady will always be remembered for bringing strength and dignity to the White House, the Presidency and America. She supported the 41st President as a wife and the 43rd President as a mother at times of critical change for our nation. Because of Mrs. Bush’s dynamic personality and devotion to her family, she will serve as an inspiration for future generations of Americans to come. Barbara Bush always approached her responsibilities with great integrity, and will also be remembered for her humility and understanding of the challenges of everyday Americans. On behalf of all of us, we pray for her and her family at this sad time.”
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith. Note: The majority of information for this story was supplied by network news sources.
