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.