NFL player J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans said former first lady Barbara Bush was a “beautiful light” and grateful for her friendship after it was announced that Bush had died at the age of 92 on Tuesday.
“Rest In Peace Mrs. Barbara Bush,” Watt tweeted Tuesday evening. “You were a beautiful light in this world and I am forever thankful for your friendship.”
Rest In Peace Mrs. Barbara Bush.
You were a beautiful light in this world and I am forever thankful for your friendship. pic.twitter.com/yuZvQ7o8aH— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 17, 2018
Separately, Watt opened up about how the Bush and her family had welcomed him to Texas.
“She’s an incredible woman,” Watt said, according to the Houston Chronicle. “Her and the entire family have been so kind to me ever since I’ve been here. Working with her with the literacy foundation and then her working on my foundation, I can’t speak enough to how highly I speak of Barbara. My thoughts are obviously with them at this time. She’s the best. She can put a smile on your face.”
“She can crack a joke with the best of them even up in her 90s,” he added. “She’s an awesome woman. She’s the absolute best and we wish her all the smiles and happiness as she continues to go through everything.”
Barbara Bush had been fighting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure for a year. It was revealed on Sunday that she would not be receiving medical treatment any longer and instead receive comfort care.
[Related: Barbara Bush: Her life in photos]
She is survived by her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, and her remaining five children, including former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 17 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Barbara Bush was a vocal advocate for literacy in the U.S. and started the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
