With dignity: Nancy Reagan defined what it was to be first lady

Nancy Reagan will be laid to rest today, next to the man she adored and supported through his years in political office.

Not particularly loved by the general public, who often saw her as aloof and overly protective, she nonetheless defined the role of first lady with her grace and dignity.

We could all -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- learn something from her about how to handle ourselves in public, a skill she mastered through her years as an actress and later as first lady.

The love she shared with her "Ronnie" was evident, even to those people who only saw them on television. She supported him faithfully throughout their marriage, his time as governor of California, later as president, and finally as he slipped quietly away, the victim of Alzheimer's disease.

The respect she eventually earned from the public was evident this week as thousands of mourners paid her tribute. We could learn much from her example.

Published in Editorials on March 11, 2016 11:30 AM