Mourners are remembering former First Lady Barbara Bush by celebrating her passion for literacy. In addition to flowers, people are leaving books at makeshift memorials outside the Bush Presidential library in College Station, Texas.
Children’s books and flowers honoring former First Lady Barbara Bush outside the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station. @abc13houston pic.twitter.com/ZV45Bq0ccA
— Charles Fisher (@NewsCameraFish) April 18, 2018
It’s an emotional day at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station.
People are leaving flowers and books outside and writing heartfelt messages about former First Lady Barbara Bush in the rotunda.#RIPBarbaraBush #BarbaraBush pic.twitter.com/R2j5tF7dH5— Bettie Cross (@BettieCrossTV) April 18, 2018
Others have suggested that those who wish to remember her should carry on the mission she adopted both in the White House and as a private citizen and donate books to literacy programs in Barbara Bush’s name.
Among other things, Barbara Bush was a true champion of literacy.
In her honor let’s help get some books to kids who need them. https://t.co/z8MMhl0LBC— Amanda Guinzburg (@Guinz) April 17, 2018
Barbara Bush launched the Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989, but her efforts extended long past her time in Washington. Her daughter-in-law Laura Bush stepped into her shoes just over a decade later, creating the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries in 2002 and championing the cause from the White House.
School reading programs, libraries, and book stores nationwide celebrated her advocacy as well.
Thank you for sharing your love of literacy with our country. Rest in peace, Barbara Bush. pic.twitter.com/WnKsgzLRcr
— The BOOK IT! Program (@bookitprogram) April 18, 2018
Another memorial for Bush appeared late Tuesday night at Ganny’s Garden in Kennebunkport. Alongside a bouquet of flowers were a straw hat, a pair of Keds sneakers, and a copy of her longtime favorite “Pride and Prejudice.”
Someone has already left a bouquet of flowers at Ganny’s Garden in Kennebunkport, planted in honor of #BarbaraBush. They lay beside replications of the former First Lady’s favorite book Pride and Prejudice, her iconic straw hat and Keds sneakers. #RIPBarbaraBush @WGME pic.twitter.com/NeLQa8fCsg
— Lexie O’Connor (@LexieWGME) April 18, 2018