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Bush Family Mourns its Matriarch in Passing of Barbara Bush at 92

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A statement from the office of former President George H.W. Bush has announced, “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, at the age of 92.” Barbara Bush served as America’s First Lady from 1989 to 1993. She passed away not long after choosing to forego additional medical care for her failing health. After being hospitalized a number of times for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, on Sunday, April 15, she opted for comfort care.

According to the chief of staff at the former president’s office, it was noted that the former president is “broken-hearted to lose his beloved Barbara, his wife of 73 years. He held her hand all day today and was at her side when she left this good earth.” The funeral service for Mrs. Bush will be held in Houston, Texas, at St. Martin’s Church, where the Bushes have been decades-long devoted members.

Bush Family Mourns its Matriarch in Passing of Barbara Bush at 92

Photo: Facebook/Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation

Mrs. Bush is the mother of the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, and the former governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, among her six children. She also had 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. During her time as America’s First Lady, Mrs. Bush championed literacy and continued her benevolent work after leaving the white house, encouraging parents to read to their children through the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which she formed in 1989.