Page "Nancy Reagan" Paragraph 63

Ronald Reagan died in their Bel Air home on June 5, 2004.

During the seven-day state funeral, Nancy, accompanied by her children and military escort, led the nation in mourning by keeping a strong composure, traveling from her home to the Reagan Library for a memorial service, then to Washington, D. C., where her husband's body lay in state for 34 hours prior to a national funeral service in the Washington National Cathedral.

She returned to the library in California for a sunset memorial service and interment, where, overcome with emotion, she lost her composure, crying in public for the first time during the week.

After accepting the folded flag, she kissed the casket and mouthed " I love you " before leaving.

Journalist Wolf Blitzer said of Reagan during the week, " She's a very, very strong woman, even though she looks frail.