Public Bids Farewell To Betty Ford

The late Betty Ford rested in repose on Tuesday hours after her funeral in Palm Desert, inside the church she and her husband, former president Gerald Ford, attended for decades.

“We always loved her,” said Winnie Neary, visiting from Canada.

“I think she’s an inspiration to women,” said Linda Reid, who is from Rialto.

“It’s a fitting tribute to her and the role that she played as well as her husband in leading the country,” said Greg Hoppe, who is from Indio.

One after another, Sunline buses traveled from the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens and parked in front of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church to drop off visitors who felt obligated to bid farewell.

“She was the first lady,” said Pamela Williams, a member of the Lincoln Club of the Coachella Valley. “Whether you are (a) republican or democrat, you should pay your respects to a former first lady.”

Inside, two members of the U.S. Air Force stood by the casket, as some mourners kneeled down to say a prayer — others walked by it just to take a part in history.

Bill Reid, who is from Rialto, said he had great admiration for former president Ford.

“We had the crisis with president Nixon resigning, and I think he led the country very (well) when that crisis was happening,” said Reid, whose wife Linda said the late Betty Ford’s contribution to women is invaluable.

>>> “She really made a statement (with) breast cancer, and coming out about the drugs and alcohol addiction,” said Linda Reid. “That is something that can be treated and taken care of and not (to) be ashamed of.”

Visitors were given just minutes to say goodbye — minutes that Williams said she will remember for the rest of her life.

“It just felt right to be there and to see the casket and see the flowers and pay the respects,” she said. “I think it was very nice.”

The last bus left the tennis gardens at 10:45 p.m., but the church doors remained open until midnight.