Ronald Reagan died in their Bel Air home on June 5 , 2004 . During the seven-day state funeral , Nancy , accompanied by her children and military escort , led the nation in mourning . She kept a strong composure , traveling from her home to the Reagan Library for a memorial service , then to Washington , D.C. , where her husband 's body lay in state for 34 hours prior to a national funeral service in the Washington National Cathedral . She returned to the library in Simi Valley for a sunset memorial service and interment , where , overcome with emotion , she lost her composure and cried in public for the first time during the week . After receiving the folded flag , she kissed the casket and mouthed " I love you " before leaving . During the week , CNN journalist Wolf Blitzer said , " She 's a very , very strong woman , even though she looks frail . " She had directed the detailed planning of the funeral , which included scheduling all the major events and asking former President George H. W. Bush , as well as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher , former Soviet Union Leader Mikhail Gorbachev , and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to speak during the National Cathedral Service . She paid very close attention to the details , something she had always done in her husband 's life . Betsy Bloomingdale , one of Reagan 's closest friends , stated , " She looks a little frail . But she is very strong inside . She is . She has the strength . She is doing her last thing for Ronnie . And she is going to get it right . " The funeral marked her first major public appearance since she delivered a speech to the 1996 Republican National Convention on her husband 's behalf
1996 Republican National Convention
1996 Republican National Convention
Nancy Reagan