Saturday, April 21, 2018

A funeral service was held on Saturday in Houston, Texas, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for Former First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS — wife of a sitting US president) Barbara Bush, 92. Mrs. Bush was the wife of the US’s 41st President George H. W. Bush for 73 years before dying on April 17 at her home surrounded by family.

Mrs. Bush’s health was poor during her final months becoming serious this April, receiving ‘Comfort Care’ at her home which is the treatment protocol when a ‘Do Not Resuscitate Order’ has been given. She had been fighting Graves’ disease since 1988, a thyroid related condition which is rarely fatal. Complications associated with Graves’ disease or old age maybe the cause of death, but no autopsy was performed by request of the family.

Upon notification of her death condolences poured in from around the world. Among the callers were Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Queen Elizabeth II, Madeline Albright, Pope Francis, and others.

The term First Lady is not a formal legal position, rather a ceremonial position used to bring awareness to areas like humanitarian aid or improving schools. Mrs. Bush was described as an independent woman supporting many feminist positions like equal rights amendment, abortion, and gay rights putting her at odds with her husband’s political agenda.

Before her death, Mrs. Bush helped plan her funeral by choosing St. Martin’s Episcopal Church over much larger venues in Houston, requesting a small ceremony. Unfortunately, the audience consisted of approximately 1,500 people including other FLOTUSs like Micheal Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Melania Trump. The other living former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama also attended the funeral with the exception of Jimmy Carter for poor health and Donald Trump “opting out” over sitting president security disruptions observing the processions from his Mar-a-lago Resort.

Current FLOTUS Melania Trump asked two White House staff whom worked closely with Mrs. Bush during her FLOTUS years as her guests. Head Maitre d’ George Hainey and White House Usher Buddy Carter accompanied Melania as she sat with the extended Bush family.

Son and former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush carried the burden of giving the eulogy. At times holding back tears, gave a short and light speech in what was characterized as similar to the personality of the family anchor. Her wishes, according to the family, was a short and light ceremony, which ending 4 minutes ahead of schedule.

She was to be interred at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The burial plot is inside a gated area being placed next to the re-interred body of the Bush’s first child, Pauline Robinson “Robin” Bush.

Robin suffered from leukemia and died at 3-years-old. Robin’s death was significant on the Bush family, instigating funding cancer research endeavors and helping pediatric medical facilities. Granddaughter, Jenna Bush Hager, memorialized Mrs. Bush’s attachment to Robin by electronically displaying a cartoon by Marshall Ramsey depicting the two reuniting in heaven. Mrs. Bush’s legacy spans multiple decades and mobilized an estimated 5,000 individuals paying their respects outside the church. The funeral home has also received and will continue to receive condolence letters.

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