HOUSTON – Dressed in a bright orange Houston Astros jersey, Tina Kay didn’t expect to meet President George H.W. Bush when she went to pay her respects to Barbara Bush and the rest of the Bush family on Friday.
But when she entered St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, where Mrs. Bush’s casket rest for Friday’s public viewing, Kay was met by Mr. Bush in front of the stage, and Mr. Bush immediately recognized her bright orange shirt.
“He asked me what position I played,” Kay said. “I said, 'Center. Front and center, sir.'”
Kay was ecstatic about the encounter.
“I got to shake his hand. I told him thank you for bringing Barbara to us. I told him that I loved him, and I told him that I wore our Astros gear and girls with pearl, just for her today,” Kay said.
PHOTOS: Barbara Bush the sports fan
Photos: Barbara Bush the sports fan
She said she didn’t know what to call Mr. Bush — President, Mr. Bush or 41. She ultimately went with Mr. Bush.
“He looked wonderful. His socks were handsome and he wouldn’t let go of my hand,” she said. “It was wonderful.”
Mrs. Bush will be laid to rest Saturday. Following her funeral in the morning, a procession will take Mrs. Bush to College Station where she will be buried at the George Bush Presidential Library.
Mrs. Bush died Tuesday evening after suffering from congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung condition that blocks airflow and makes it difficult to breathe. After a series of hospital stays, Mrs. Bush chose to end any treatment and focus on comfort care, where she spent her final days in her Houston home surrounded by family.
“She was the first lady of Houston,” Kay said. “I just hope we can all continue this wonderful legacy that Mrs. Bush has brought to our state and our town.”