Betty Ford Remembered at California Memorial Service

By Mary Slosson

PALM DESERT, Calif (Reuters) - Betty Ford was remembered at a memorial service in California Tuesday as a mother, first lady, friend and "tireless advocate for those struggling."

Mourners at the service for Ford at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert included first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Ford, wife of late President Gerald Ford who helped found a rehabilitation clinic that bears her name, died Friday at the age of 93.

"Betty Ford was my friend and I'm honored to be here today help celebrate her life, which was truly remarkable," former first lady Rosalynn Carter said in eulogizing her White House predecessor.

Carter recalled Ford as a woman who was never afraid to speak the truth and had the courage to fight the stigma surrounding illness and addiction. "She was a tireless advocate for those struggling," Carter said.

Geoffrey Mason, a former board member of the Betty Ford Clinic in nearby Rancho Mirage, followed Carter to the podium.

"Thank you God for bringing this extraordinary woman, this brave and inspirational pioneer, into our lives," Mason said.

The service began as a military honor guard carried Ford's casket into the church, tucked into the desert foothills and surrounded by palm trees.

The dignitaries, including Obama, Clinton, Bush and former first lady Nancy Reagan, sat shoulder to shoulder in a pew near the front of the church.

The memorial service was preceded by a visitation for close friends and family members, which was closed to the public.

Ford was a vocal supporter of women's rights while her husband was president from 1974 to 1977.

She also led early efforts to raise awareness of the battle against breast cancer after undergoing a mastectomy in 1974. (Writing by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Jerry Norton)