Community Corner

Ways to Remember Betty Ford

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to several causes.

An outpouring of tributes have been steadily coming in from around the globe for former first lady Betty Ford, who .

Her is set for 11:20 a.m. Tuesday at in Palm Desert. Following the service, the public will be able to pay their respects from 5 p.m. to midnight at the church.

The Desert Sun, a Palm Springs-based newspaper, has set up an online guest book for those who wish to send their condolences to the Ford family. A condolence book is also available at the Betty Ford Memorial website.

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The public can pay their respects to Ford along the motorcade route, which will drive north on Monterey Avenue in Palm Desert, turn west on Highway 111, turn north on Gene Autry Trail and proceed to the Atlantic Aviation Main Terminal in Palm Springs.

The motorcade is set to leave at 4 a.m. Wednesday and continue to the Palm Springs International Airport, Atlantic Aviation Terminal, where a ceremony will take place at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday. Her remains will be flown by military aircraft to Gerald R. Ford International Airport will arrive at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Highway 74 in Palm Desert will be closed from 4 a.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Wednesday to make way for the service, according to organizers.

For those who wish to express their condolences to Ford, the family has asked for donations to several causes.

Here is a list of the organizations:

  • The Betty Ford First Ladies Tribute Fund, c/o the Gerald R. Ford
    Presidential Foundation, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49504;
  • Betty Ford Diagnostic Breast Center, Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, 145 Michigan St. NE, Suite 4200, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49503;
  • Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, 183 Gore Creek Drive, Vail, Colo., 81657; and
  • The Betty Ford Legacy Scholarship Fund, c/o Betty Ford Center Foundation, 41990 Cook St., Suite C-101, Palm Desert, Calif.,
    92211.


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