Nancy Bush Ellis, the younger sister of former President George H.W. Bush, died at the age of 94 due to complications from COVID-19. She was hospitalized on December 30 with a fever and tested positive for the coronavirus.
"We are sad to share that President Bush's beloved sister, Nancy Bush Ellis, has passed away. Our condolences and prayers are with the Ellis and Bush families as we remember a remarkable woman who brought joy and light to the world," the George and Barbara Bush Foundation wrote on Twitter.
Ellis was a lifelong Democrat but helped her brother campaign when he was running in the Republican primary for president in 1979. She also joined her nephew, President George W. Bush, on the campaign trail when he ran for governor of Texas and President of the United States.
"She was a Democrat for whom family came first," Jon Meacham, the historian and biographer of President George Bush, told the New York Times in a phone interview.
Jenna Bush Hager spoke about losing her "Aunt Nan" on TODAY.
"I loved her a lot," Jenna said. "She was such a lovely woman, and my grandpa loved her so much. ... She lived an extraordinary and long life."
Ellis is survived by her three sons, Alexander Ellis III, John Prescott Ellis, Josiah Wear Ellis, her daughter, Nancy Walker Ellis Black, nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
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