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CNN Live Saturday

Memorial Service Held For Maureen Reagan

Aired August 18, 2001 - 16:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: It's been a day of mourning for the loved ones of former first daughter Maureen Reagan. More than one thousand friends, relatives and admirers filled the Cathedral in Sacramento, California, to pay tribute. The eldest child of former President Reagan died earlier this month after a five year battle with cancer.

Like her father, Maureen Reagan embraced politics, crusading passionately for many causes. And at services today, one last chance to praise her tireless activism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID HYDE PIERCE, ACTOR: Maureen took care of people. Took in the sense of taking charge, taking control, taking the reigns. And when she was given lemons in life, she did not make lemonade. She took the lemons and threw them back, and said, oh-no you don't.

When cancer touched her life, she fought it. Not only for herself, but for everyone.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Maureen had many good causes, and she gave good service to them all. That is a testament to her generous heart, to her great capacity for love.

She possessed much of her father's extraordinary ability to communicate her beliefs and abiding passions. And she was in President Reagan's own words; fearless, energetic and surprising.

PRES. RONALD REAGAN: The truth is, Maureen's been surprising me and making very proud for a very long time.

CHRISTIE WHITMAN, EPA ADMINISTRATOR: All of us who knew Maureen loved her. And I must say, America is a poorer and a duller place today because of her passing.

MICHAEL REAGAN, BROTHER OF MAUREEN REAGAN: Two weeks ago my family, Cameron, Ashley and Colleen, visited Maureen for the last time. I got to kiss her good-bye, mom.

But I just wanted to tell you, thank you. Thank you for wanting a brother. Thank you for always watching over me when I was younger. Thank you for loving me. I know some day we'll be together again.

Maureen, I just want to tell you, thank you. And I love you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KELLEY: Maureen Reagan is survived by her husband, Dennis Revell, and her 16-year-old daughter, Rita.

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