Former first lady Betty Ford honoured in memorial service

Summary of story from Sky News, July 13, 2011

A memorial service was held in Palm Desert, California, to honour the life of former US first lady Betty Ford (see WVoN story).

It was attended by first lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President George W Bush, as well as former first lady, Nancy Reagan.

Mrs Ford was a strong advocate of women’s rights during her husband’s presidency from 1974-77.

Opening her own eponymous rehabilitation centre specialising in addiction and raising awareness of breast cancer through her own battle with the disease earned her the title of the “fighting first lady” from US publication Time magazine.

A final private ceremony will be held tomorrow, when after she will be buried beside her husband at the Gerald R Ford Museum.

To read Cokie Robert’s eulogy to Betty Ford, click here.