'Kept Us Laughing Until the End.' Read the Bush Family's Statements Following the Death of Barbara Bush

Mahita Gajanan
Updated

Barbara Bush, the wife of President George H.W. Bush and mother to President George W. Bush, died at the age of 92 on Tuesday.

The beloved Bush family matriarch was remembered by her husband, children and grandchildren following her death. George H.W. Bush was “broken-hearted” to lose his wife, his chief of staff Jean Becker said in a statement.

“He held her hand all day today and was at her side when [she] left this good earth,” Becker said.

George W. Bush and Jeb Bush detailed how lucky they were to have Barbara as their mother in statements.

“Laura, Barbara, Jenna, and I are are sad, but our souls are settled because we know hers was,” George W. Bush said. “Barbara Bush was a fabulous First Lady and a woman unlike any other who brought levity, love, and literacy to millions. To us she was so much more.”

Barbara Bush died after a family spokesperson said she would no longer seek treatment following a series of recent hospitalizations. She was known in her family for her wit and toughness.

“Mom kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end,” George W. Bush said. “I’m a lucky man that Barbara Bush was my mother. Our family will miss her dearly, and we thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.”

My dear mother has passed on at age 92. Laura, Barbara, Jenna, and I are sad, but our souls are settled because we know hers was. Barbara Bush was a fabulous First Lady and a woman unlike any other who brought levity, love, and literacy to millions. To us, she was so much more. Mom kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end. I’m a lucky man that Barbara Bush was my mother. Our family will miss her dearly, and we thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.

A post shared by George W. Bush (@georgewbush) on Apr 17, 2018 at 6:34pm PDT

Jeb Bush called his mother a “force of nature” in a statement.

“I’m exceptionally privileged to be the son of George Bush and the exceptionally gracious, gregarious, fun, funny, loving, tough, smart, graceful woman who was the force of nature known as Barbara Bush,” Bush said. “Thank you for your prayers, and we look forward to celebrating and honoring her life and contributions to our family and great nation in the coming days.”

Tributes also poured in from Barbara Bush’s grandchildren. Jenna Bush Hager, daughter to George W. Bush, said on Instagram Tuesday that she already missed her grandmother, whom she referred to as the family’s “enforcer.”

“She taught me to use my voice but also to value the opinions of others. She adored her friends and family; her loyalty was unwavering. Humor helps, she often said and it does, Gans, but I will miss your laugh terribly,” Bush Hager said.

I already miss this FORCE of a woman— the “enforcer” because she was the glue that held our family together. She taught me to use my voice but also to value the opinions of others. She adored her friends and family; her loyalty was unwavering. Humor helps, she often said and it does, Gans, but I will miss your laugh terribly. She adored my Gampy, the first man she ever kissed; their love story is so engrained in the history of our family. Thinking of my Gampy tonight —no doubt missing his beloved desperately. Gans, people stopped me all the time to tell me how much they loved you. I didn’t mind sharing you with them. I love you more than tongue can tell, my Ganny.

A post shared by jennabhager (@jennabhager) on Apr 17, 2018 at 7:02pm PDT

George P. Bush, the oldest son of Jeb Bush, tweeted that Barbara Bush focused her entire life on others.

“For my grandfather, she was his top adviser and confidante. For her family, she was a steady, loving and guiding hand,” he said.