This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/10/memorial-service-held-for-former-us-first-lady-nancy-reagan

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nancy Reagan's memorial service takes place in Santa Monica Nancy Reagan's memorial service takes place in Santa Monica
(6 months later)
Three days of formal mourning for American former first lady Nancy Reagan began with a private service before her coffin was taken in a police-escorted motorcade along an empty freeway for a public viewing at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi valley, California, 40 miles north of Los Angeles.Three days of formal mourning for American former first lady Nancy Reagan began with a private service before her coffin was taken in a police-escorted motorcade along an empty freeway for a public viewing at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi valley, California, 40 miles north of Los Angeles.
Related: Nancy Reagan, former first lady, dies at the age of 94
Patti Davis, daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, greeted family members and close friends upon arrival at a Santa Monica mortuary where a 20-minute service was held.Patti Davis, daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, greeted family members and close friends upon arrival at a Santa Monica mortuary where a 20-minute service was held.
In attendance were the children of Ronald Reagan’s son Michael, and Dennis Revell, the widower of the Reagans’ late daughter, Maureen.In attendance were the children of Ronald Reagan’s son Michael, and Dennis Revell, the widower of the Reagans’ late daughter, Maureen.
The coffin was taken by pallbearers – including members of the deceased’s secret service detail – to a hearse to begin its journey to the library. Two days of public viewing will precede the funeral.The coffin was taken by pallbearers – including members of the deceased’s secret service detail – to a hearse to begin its journey to the library. Two days of public viewing will precede the funeral.
The procession’s route included a lengthy stretch of the Ronald Reagan freeway, named in her husband’s honour in the 1990s.The procession’s route included a lengthy stretch of the Ronald Reagan freeway, named in her husband’s honour in the 1990s.
Related: Nancy Reagan, 1921-2016: a life in pictures
The funeral was planned down to the smallest detail by the former first lady, who died aged 94 on Sunday. Her body will be buried near that of her husband on a hillside facing west towards the Pacific. He died in 2004 aged 93.The funeral was planned down to the smallest detail by the former first lady, who died aged 94 on Sunday. Her body will be buried near that of her husband on a hillside facing west towards the Pacific. He died in 2004 aged 93.
She planned the funeral’s flower arrangements, the music to be played by a Marine Corps band and she chose who would receive invitations to the private memorial.She planned the funeral’s flower arrangements, the music to be played by a Marine Corps band and she chose who would receive invitations to the private memorial.
Among those who planned to attend were former president George W Bush and his wife, Laura; former first lady Rosalynn Carter; the current first lady, Michelle Obama; and Hillary Clinton.Among those who planned to attend were former president George W Bush and his wife, Laura; former first lady Rosalynn Carter; the current first lady, Michelle Obama; and Hillary Clinton.
“No doubt about it, the most important of her special requests was that she be laid to rest right next to the president, as close as possible,” said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan presidential foundation and library.“No doubt about it, the most important of her special requests was that she be laid to rest right next to the president, as close as possible,” said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan presidential foundation and library.
Friday’s service, to which approximately 1,000 people have been invited, will take place on the library’s lawn.Friday’s service, to which approximately 1,000 people have been invited, will take place on the library’s lawn.