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PALM DESERT - Former First Lady Betty Ford was remembered Tuesday afternoon in Palm Desert during a private funeral service.

First Lady Michelle Obama, Former First Ladies Nancy Reagan and Rosalynn Carter - as well as Former First Lady - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton- attended the service.

Former President Bill Clinton planned on attending - but a mechanical problem on a plane forced him to cancel his appearance.

Former President George W. Bush however was at  the service. Betty Ford died Friday at Eisenhower Medical Center at the age of 93.

Local Road Closures:

Highway 74 will be closed from 3 a.m. Tuesday until 1 a.m. Wednesday between Shadow Mountain and Mesa View. 

It will again be closed to all traffic during mid-morning Wednesday temporarily, to allow the motorcade and processional to proceed from the church. The motorcade will drive north on Monterey Ave, turn west onto Highway 111, turn north onto Gene Autry and will proceed to the Atlantic Aviation Main Terminal at the Palm Springs International Airport.

Shadow Mountain and Mesa View will remain open.  Residents wishing to access the area south of the church will utilize Portola Avenue to Mesa View.  Those residents wishing to access the area west of the church will utilize Edgehill and Shadow Mountain.  To access the area east of the church, residents can use El Paseo to Sage, then to Tumbleweed, Shadow Mountain, or Desert Lily. 

Official California Public Observances:
 
The Ford Family invites mourners who wish to pay their respects to Former First Lady Elizabeth B. Ford to please so during the following times.

Shortly after the private Funeral Service, the Ford Family will invite the public on Tuesday, beginning at approximately 5 p.m. and continuing until 12 midnight to attend the Repose at St. Margaret's Church, Palm Desert.

A memorial book will be available for the public to sign.

Mourners are reminded there is no parking at the church and long lines are expected. Mourners must use the complimentary shuttle buses provided at the Indian Well Tennis Gardens located at 78200 Miles Avenue in Indian Wells to attend the public repose.

The public is asked to board the shuttle buses from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The last bus will leave at 10:45 p.m.

Security measures will be enforced and restrictions within the church consist of no cameras or video equipment, recording devices, back packs, purses, large bags, strollers, etc.

For more information, please contact the public information phone line: 1800-748-0488 at or view the Elizabeth B. Ford National Tribute website at: www.bettyfordmemorial.com.