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Nancy Reagan 1921-2016: Remembering The Former First Lady

By Donna Nolan Wilson
Published on: 09:40 PST, Mar 6, 2016

Nancy Reagan, the former First Lady and widow or President Ronald Reagan has passed away at the age of 94. Publications around the world such as ABC News and the Washington Post are honoring Nancy Reagan by recalling her accolades, impressive spirit, devotion, and dedication to her husband and her country.

Congestive Heart Failure

Nancy Reagan died from congestive heart failure, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the Reagan Library, Joanne Drake. One-in-nine people die yearly from heart failure, says the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. It was further reported by spokesperson Ms. Drake on Reagan’s final resting spot.

“Mrs. Reagan will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, next to her husband, Ronald Wilson Reagan, who died on June 5, 2004.”

Just Say No

Nancy Reagan is best remembered for spearheading the “Just say No” anti-drugs campaign when her husband was president. She traveled almost 250,000 miles to promote that campaign.

Grace in motion

Nancy Reagan was grace in motion and the majority of citizens were both proud and honored during their time in the White House, as both she and Ronald Reagan embodied everything that a U.S. President and his wife should be.

Alzheimer’s disease

A former actress, Nancy Reagan was so very protective of her husband after the assassination attempt on his life while he was president. She never stopped being protective of him and that protection endured as she took action to protect the love of her life, after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Ronald Reagan died in 2004 after struggling with Alzheimer’s for nearly 10 years.

Sympathy and messages regarding the former First Lady’s death began to circulate through social media just moments after it was confirmed that Nancy Reagan had passed away. The messages are coming in from everybody from Hollywood to Washington, D.C.

Life in the White House

As for many before her, life in the White House and in the public eye wasn’t easy. She was ridiculed for much during her time in the White House, as many accused her of having more control over her husband than she should have. Nancy Reagan stated on more than one occasion that her husband loved her, respected her, and listened to her view points. She said as much in her 1989 memoir, My Turn.

“In most good marriages that I know of, the woman is her husband’s closest friend and adviser. But however the first lady fits in; she has a unique and important role to play in looking after her husband. And it’s only natural that she’ll let him know what she thinks. I always did that for Ronnie and I always will.”

Ronald Reagan the Romantic

It was a well known fact that Ronald Reagan was a romantic. He frequently penned notes to Nancy and some of those notes were made public. He called her Mommy and she called him Ronnie. One of his romantic notes to Nancy said the following.

“I more than love you; I’m not whole without you. You are life itself to me. When you are gone I’m waiting for you to return so I can start living again.”

Nancy Reagan Foundation

Nancy Reagan was not done trying to make change happen after she and Ronald Reagan left office. She created the Nancy Reagan Foundation in 1994 to develop the afterschool program and continue the anti-drug campaign.

Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan

Ronald and Nancy were simply Ronald and Nancy long before they were the president and first lady. They met in Hollywood and Nancy knew immediately that he was exactly the type of man she was looking for. They were both actors and had much in common. They married in 1952 and had two children together, Pattie and Ronald, Jr.

Funeral Arrangements

Nancy Reagan will be once again be together with her beloved Ronald, as she will be laid to rest next to him at the Reagan Library. Spokesperson Drake said there would be a chance for members of the public to pay their respects at the Library beforehand.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy Reagan did request before her death that donations be made to the Reagan Library she loved so much.

[Photo credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images]

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