Barbara Bush at LBJ Presidential Library in 2012.

George H.W. Bush - her husband of 73 years - was at his wife's side when she died and had reportedly been holding her hand all day.

In my world, it was better to be unseen, but in this instant, I was in the former first lady's full view with nowhere to hide.

Her lasting physical legacy may well be her contributions to literacy enhancement in this nation.

That memory is ingrained in the mind of Angie Gillikin, a 41-year-old former teacher who is now a school administrator in Houston.

To be sure, Mrs. Bush lived a long, productive and admirable life. (John Adams was the second president and John Quincy Adams was the sixth president.).

At her last conference, Barbara Bush sat on a panel along side First Ladies Rosalyn Carter and Betty Ford.

The email also had a picture of Mrs. Bush: gray hair, eyes crinkly and welcoming, the soft smile that bespoke kindness and great joy - and pearls, three strands of them, elegant but understated.

In a video letter that aired on Thursday, Hager addressed her "Ganny" and said, "You are our family's rock, the glue that held us together".

"How many times you get to sit next to an active President and the First Lady it was pretty cool", said server Chuck Koskinas. She was clearly a little agitated. "I know the whole family are at a loss".

For two decades, he and his wife Kristy built a blooming business.

Bush said he was excited Bono had chosen to accept the award.

While many got to know Bush through the years by watching her on television or reading about her in the newspaper, one local woman got to have an up-close encounter with her. The streaming coverage should begin at that page at 12 p.m. Central. She was brash but endearing.

'The event will not be pooled as this is about paying tribute to Mrs. Bush, ' Grisham said.

The closeness of the Bush family is something all families could strive for, he added.

Elizabeth Harris, director of marketing for Sovah Health, said: "Ironically, ..." Both symbols of Texas and Barbara Bush's favorite color blue. "It was wonderful (to) be here". Gorbachev visited with the Bushes at the former presidents library at Texas A&M University, where Barbara Bush will be buried. Instead, she called Mrs. Bush an "amazing racist who... raised a war criminal", sparking public outcry.

Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff at all public buildings and military posts in Bush's honor. "May the glory of the risen Lord transform our sorrow into serenity".

The magnanimous comments stood in contrast to the fractious words that flew between Mr. Trump and the Bush family when the businessman-turned-presidential candidate effectively conducted a hostile takeover of a Republican Party once ruled by the Bush family.

"It's the end of a beautiful life", he said.