Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said Barbara Bush exhibited “humility and decency that reflects the very best of the American spirit,” after it was announced Tuesday that Bush had died at the age of 92.
“Barbara Bush was the rock of a family dedicated to public service, and our thoughts and prayers are with both Presidents Bush and the entire Bush family tonight,” the Obamas said in a statement Tuesday. “We’ll always be grateful to Mrs. Bush for the generosity she showed to us throughout our time in the White House, but we’re even more grateful for the way she lived her life — as a testament to the fact that public service is an important and noble calling; as an example of the humility and decency that reflects the very best of the American spirit.”
“She’ll be remembered for passing those American values on to her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren — and to the countless citizens whom she and George inspired to become ‘points of light’ in service to others,” they added.
Barbara Bush, who was married to former President George H.W. Bush for 73 years, fought chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure for a year. It was announced Sunday that she would not longer be receiving medical treatment and instead, receive comfort care.
[Related: Barbara Bush: Her life in photos]
She is survived by her husband and her remaining five children, including former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Barbara Bush was an advocate for improving literacy rates in the U.S. and launched the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
