The Bush family has been a pillar of the United States for decades, most notably the father-son duo that filled the White House for four terms. Barbara Bush was the wife to former President George H.W. Bush and the mother of former President George W. Bush. A spokesperson for the family has come out and said, “Mrs. Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care."
Pillar of Strength
Barbara Bush has been the matriarch of her family, raising her daughter Doro and sons Marvin, Neil, former Gov.
Jeb Bush and former President George W. Bush. Even in her failing health, as she battles congestive heart failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, the family spokesperson is quoted as saying, "Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health."
In addition to the health struggles of the former First Lady, the former President has had some health problems of his own he has been battling, having been diagnosed with vascular Parkinson's, he requires a wheelchair to get around, and was hospitalized for bronchitis and pneumonia in 2017.
Family by her side
Currently, Barbara is with her husband, their daughter Doro, and their sons Neil and Marvin, with former Gov. Jeb Bush and former President George W.
Bush coming and going as their schedule allows.
The most recent reported hospitalization was on Good Friday, for shortness of breath, sending her to Houston Methodist Hospital. She was released earlier this past week, but her health reportedly declined in the past few days. This declining health appears to be the cause for the choice made to focus on comfort, rather than continue her treatment.
Barbara and former President Bush have been married for 73 years and have left quite an impressive legacy behind, together raising more than one billion dollars for charities since they left the White House.
One of the former First Lady's causes she held close to her heart was literacy. According to History.com, this passion grew from her son, Neil's battle with dyslexia.
In the early 90's she hosted "Mrs. Bush's Storytime" a national radio show where she would read stories and discuss the importance of literacy to childhood development.
Regardless of one's political leanings, it cannot be argued the good she has done and that many people will be thinking of her and her family during this difficult time.
