George H.W. Bush‘s granddaughter remembered the life lessons he imparted to her as well as his final moments before he died.
Marshall Bush, who was born in Fort Worth and adopted when she was 3 months old by Marvin Bush, the president’s youngest son, said that her earliest memories are visiting her grandfather and grandmother, who she called “Ganny,” in the White House.
George H.W. Bush took office when Marshall Bush was 2 years old.
She said she remembered the values he imparted to her.
“Giving back was the main thing,” she told NBC DFW. “Making sure we’re all respectful and just, you know, love everyone as much as you can that means something to you and do what you can for people around you.”
It was an honor to speak to President Bush's granddaughter https://t.co/DOqu3ksMxH
— ScottGordonNBC5 (@ScottGordonNBC5) December 3, 2018
She said they spent a lot of time together in recent years in Houston as Bush’s health was failing. “He missed my grandmother,” she said. “He was ready to be with her again.”
On his deathbed, in the final moments of his life, Marshall Bush told her grandfather: “Tell Ganny we said hi.”
Marshall Bush said the final moments of her grandfather’s life and her grandmother’s life were peaceful.
“It’s powerful. I was rubbing his head… He was not struggling. Everybody was holding his hands. We were all around the bed. Everyone, you know, had a hand on him,” she said.
“I don’t know if he knew that was the exact moment, but I think he knew it was coming and again, I think he was ready for it. He was ready to be back with the love of his life.”
Bush’s funeral is to be held at the National Cathedral on Dec. 5. He will be buried the next day on the grounds of his presidential library at Texas A&M.
He was more than a great man; he was a good man. His courage was matched by his compassion; and his dedication to country was equaled only by his devotion to his family. Gampy, we love you and we will miss you. But we will never forget you. pic.twitter.com/n7uFwO6xxw
— George P. Bush (@georgepbush) December 1, 2018
Grandson Recalls H.W.
Memories from one of George H.W. Bush’s grandsons were also shared after the former president passed away.
George P. Bush, the current land commissioner for the state of Texas, posted a tribute on Twitter showing the elder Bush years ago with a much younger grandson.
“My grandfather was the greatest man I ever knew,” George P. Bush wrote.
“His life spanned the American Century—he fought in World War II … took part in the Texas oil boom … served out a distinguished career in public service including serving as president during the final days of the Cold War.”
George P. Bush later posted two other pictures showing him with his grandfather.
“Along the way, he married the love of his life and was a father to six, including a president and two governors. But to me, he will always be Gampy. The man who taught me to fish in Maine, to throw a horseshoe and to swing a baseball bat lefty,” he wrote for a caption accompanying one, showing the former president with a baseball glove.
Another shows the pair on a baseball field together.
“He was more than a great man; he was a good man. His courage was matched by his compassion; and his dedication to country was equaled only by his devotion to his family. Gampy, we love you and we will miss you. But we will never forget you,” Bush wrote.
