Maureen Reagan Loses Valiant Fight For Her Life
Former President's Daughter Dies at Age 60Granite Bay, CA - Maureen Reagan, the daughter of former President Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman, died peacefully in her Granite Bay, California, home this morning surrounded by loved ones, after a courageous, five-year-long battle with malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. She was 60 years old.
A strong, intelligent, vivacious and articulate woman with an indomitable spirit, she was well known as a political activist, commentator, radio and television talk show host and health care advocate. Her diverse yet distinguished career gave her a broad perspective on many of the challenges facing America and her ability to articulate those issues clearly and succinctly, made her a sought-after lecturer, speaker and commentator.
A best-selling author, Maureen Reagan recorded an insightful perspective on political issues as well as never-before-published anecdotes about her father, Ronald Reagan, in her book, "First Father, First Daughter" published in the spring of 1989. This book revealed not only Ms. Reagan's passion for politics but also reaffirmed she was a woman who was a political figure in her own right.
During her three decades of political activity, she held numerous leadership positions, including a 2-year term as Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee. As the party's Co-Chair she institutionalized an Office of Women's Campaign Activities, built a national volunteer network, and created a political action committee which supported over 100 women candidates between 1985 and 1992.
Well-known for her efforts and dedication to women's issues, prior to her term as Co-Chair Ms. Reagan had previously served for three years as Special Consultant for Women's Campaign Activities to the Chairman of the Republican National Committee. In this position she served as a liaison between the national party and women legislators and women's organizations across the country. Among her most recent professional and political responsibilities, Ms. Reagan served as founder and President of the International Women's Leadership Exchange (IWLE), a non-profit, educational organization whose charter was to further understanding among women in leadership positions around the world.
Ms. Reagan chaired the 36-member United States Delegation to the 1985 World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women held in Nairobi, Kenya. In preparation for this World Conference, Ms. Reagan actively participated in preparatory conferences in Vienna and New York and was an active participant in the UNHCR Conference on Women Refugees in Geneva as well as the Spring Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting of the United Nations in New York City. The Nairobi conference produced the first consensus document that charted a practical course for the future advancement of women throughout the world.
Following her success at the Nairobi conference, Ms. Reagan was appointed as the United States Representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women by then Secretary of State George Shultz Ð a position that enabled her to build upon her accomplishments and experience at the Nairobi conference and to travel extensively both at home and abroad in support of global women's concerns. These international efforts to Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe followed numerous trips Ms. Reagan made to Europe and Asia in the early 1980's to encourage and assist more American manufacturers to explore exporting their products to foreign markets. In addition to publishing an international export trade magazine and managing an American export-oriented trade association, Ms. Reagan also served as a charter member of the California World Trade Commission.
Ms. Reagan was also actively involved in raising public awareness of key health issues including Alzheimer's disease and malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. In the spring of 1998 Ms. Reagan received the President's Gold Triangle Award from the American Academy of Dermatology for her work in raising awareness of melanoma and promoting the importance of skin examinations.
Since her father's rather profound announcement in 1994, Ms Reagan was deeply committed to raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease and the importance of caregiver support. She was elected as a member of the Alzheimer's Association's National Board in 1998. She testified on numerous occasions before Congress and state legislatures to advocate for more funding for Alzheimer research and caregiver support. She served as the national honorary chair of the Association's annual Memory Walk from 1997 to 2001. In October 2000, Ms. Reagan received the Association's Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding service to the national board and for helping advance the mission of the organization to "create a world without Alzheimer's".
Ms. Reagan is survived by her husband of 20 years, Mr. Dennis C. Revell; their 16-year-old daughter, Rita Revell, who arrived from Uganda, Africa in 1994; her father, Former President Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Nancy Reagan; her mother, Jane Wyman; her brothers, Michael Reagan and Ron Reagan; her sister, Patti Davis; and her aunt, Mrs. Neil (Bess) Reagan.
A public memorial service and mass is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2001, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 1112 26th St. in Sacramento, California. This will be followed by a private graveside service early in the afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following non-profit organizations:
- The Maureen Reagan Tribute Fund
- Alzheimer's Association
- 919 North Michigan Ave, Suite 1100
- Chicago, Illinois 60611-1676
- or via the association's web site, www.alz.org
- or by telephone at (800) 272-3900
- Eureka College
- 300 East College Avenue
- P.O. Box 280
- Eureka, Illinois 61530-0280
- or via the college's web site at www.eureka.edu/alumni/giving/maureen.asp
- or by telephone at (877) 892-7823
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation
- 40 Presidential Drive
- Simi Valley, California 93065
- or via the foundation's web site at www.reaganfoundation.org
- or by telephone at (805) 522-2977
- copyright 2001 Reagan.com All Rights Reserved