Former President George H.W. Bush sat alongside his wife as he has done for more than 70 years, as thousands of visitors offered their condolences to the Bush family while the former first lady lay in repose.
Barbara Bush died Tuesday at 92 years old. People came from around the world to pay their respects to the second woman in history to be the wife of a president, and mother of another.
“She was a big matriarch for this country,” said Daniel Pinedo, who along with his wife Catherine brought their young son Leo to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, where Bush was being honored in Houston.
“She was just such a great role model to so many women. To not be like — you don’t always have to take life so serious you have to have fun with it enjoy each new day as it comes and be grateful,” Catherine Pinedo added.
The native New Yorker was relatable, labeled an honorary Texan.
“She, I think, just appealed to everyone no matter where you come from” Annette Black, of Pearland, Texas, said. “I think it’s pretty awesome to have someone like that representing our city.”
The former first lady’s influence was known worldwide. Rui Bai said she came from China to honor Bush with a white rose.
“She’s an icon and she’s very important culturally and politically,” she said.
Thomas Moreno said he met Bush at Minute Maid Park where he worked for the Houston Astros.
“One thing I feel really good about, even though she passed away, is that her and her husband got to see the Astros win the World Series,” Moreno said as he prepared to say goodbye.
“She was a big figure here in Houston, she was a big figure in the United States,” Moreno said.
While her legacy will live on in her family literacy work, Moreno labeled her as of the best first ladies of all time.
“She’ll be remembered as a first lady who worked hard and a first lady who was not afraid to be vocal about the way she feels,” he added.
Bush’s funeral services will be held Saturday morning, with burial to follow at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.
