Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton, ‘80s TV icon Mr. T and other celebrities will join First Lady Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton at Nancy Reagan’s private funeral Friday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
Among those scheduled to attend include newsman Sam Donaldson, Katie Couric, Chris Mathews, actress Anjelica Huston and talk show host Melissa Rivers.
In a talk Tuesday, Michelle Obama paid tribute to Reagan, saying she “reminded us of the importance of women’s leadership.” She said Reagan offered helpful advice when she became first lady.
Reagan, 94, died Sunday of congestive heart failure at her home in Bel-Air.
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Ron Reagan, second from left, and his sister, Patti Davis, pause at their mother Nancy Reagan’s casket at her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Mourners and family members pause at Nancy Reagan’s gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz and his wife, Charlotte Mailliard Swig, reach out to touch Nancy Reagan’s casket during her funeral service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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From left, California Gov. Jerry Brown, First Lady Michelle Obama, former First Lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush wait to pay their respects at Nancy Reagan’s gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Ron Reagan hugs a mourner as his sister, Patti Davis, left, looks on during funeral services for their mother, Nancy Reagan, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter pauses at Nancy Reagan’s casket at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Former Chief of Staff James Baker, right, and his wife, Susan, wait to pay their respects during funeral services for former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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A military honor guard places Nancy Reagan’s casket at her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Ron Reagan, left, greets mourners at his mother Nancy Reagan’s funeral at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney pauses at Nancy Reagan’s casket at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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A bagpipe player plays “Amazing Grace” as a military honor guard carries Nancy Reagan’s casket to her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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A military honor guard carries Nancy Reagan’s casket to her gravesite at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Ron Reagan speaks at the funeral of his mother and former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Diane Sawyer speaks at the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Daughter Patti Davis speaks at the funeral of her mother and former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Journalist Tom Brokaw offers reflections during funeral services for former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
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Former Secretary of State James Baker speaks at the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Pallbearers carry the casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan into her funeral service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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First Lady Michelle Obama, center, arrives with former President George Bush, right, and his wife, Laura Bush, second from right, and Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown, second from left, for the funeral services for former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
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Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney reads a letter from Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan during the funeral service for former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
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Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives for the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Actors Mr. T, left, and Gary Sinise arrive for the funeral of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Steven Leslie prays in front of the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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A line circles around the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Kimberly Leif, of Simi Valley, cries in front of the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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People pay their respects in front of the casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley Wednesday.
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A man prays in front of the casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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People pay their respects to former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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The casket of former First Lady Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Nancy Reagan’s casket is framed by a statue of former President Ronald Reagan at the presidential library in Simi Valley.
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Nancy Reagan’s casket at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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A woman wipes a tear away as she pauses beside the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Stella Delgado, left, and her mother Yoko Santos pause as they pay their respects beside the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
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Flowers are placed on the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
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House Speaker Paul Ryan stands near the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
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Library volunteers pause as they pay their respects beside the casket of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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The casket carrying Nancy Reagan arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
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A motorcade carrying the body of former First Lady Nancy Reagan arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Flowers are placed at the entrance to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as people wait for the motorcade bringing Nancy Reagan’s body to lie in repose.
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Flags and flowers are placed at the entrance to the Ronal Reagan Presidential Library as people wait for the motorcade bringing Nancy Reagan’s body to lie in repose.
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A woman takes a selfie at the entrance to the Ronal Reagan Presidential Library waiting for the motorcade bringing Nancy Reagan’s body to lie in repose.
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The Rev. Ken Worthy Stuart, Vicar of the Washington National Cathedral, gives the final blessing after the casket carrying the former first lady Nancy Reagan was loaded into a hearse at a mortuary in Santa Monica, Calif.
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A motorcade carrying the mortal remains of former First Lady Nancy Reagan travels from Santa Monica to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Firefighters salute as the hearse carrying the body of Nancy Reagan makes its way to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
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Rachel Handy carries an American flag after watching the motorcade escorting the body of former first lady Nancy Reagan pass by on the Ronald Reagan Freeway en route to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
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Firefighters salute as the hearse carrying the body of Nancy Reagan makes its way to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
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The casket carrying the former first lady Nancy Reagan leaves a small ceremony at a mortuary in Santa Monica, Calif.
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Family members watch as the casket carrying the former first lady Nancy Reagan leaves a small ceremony at a mortuary in Santa Monica, Calif.
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The casket carrying former First Lady Nancy Reagan leaves a mortuary in Santa Monica after a small ceremony en route to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
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Mourners arrive at the Santa Monica mortuary where a small ceremony for former First Lady Nancy Reagan was held Wednesday.
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A police officer stands guard outside a mortuary where a small ceremony for former Frst Lady Nancy Reagan was held Wednesday.
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Flowers and flags decorate a fountain outside the mortuary where a small ceremony for former First Lady Nancy Reagan was held Wednesday in Santa Monica.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) When the library was built, the Reagans decided they wanted to be buried together on the west side of the property, facing the Pacific Ocean, said Melissa Giller, a spokeswoman for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library.
“They had such a true love affair,” Giller said. “She’s missed him since the day he passed, and I’m sure they are quite happy to be together again.”
The funeral procession is being planned based on the former first lady’s wishes, including her choice of the people to be invited, the readings to be given and the people involved in the program, Giller said.
About 1,000 people will be invited, including President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and former presidents, first ladies, heads of state and other dignitaries, she said.
The library also announced that the public will have a chance to pay their last respects before the funeral on Wednesday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking on-site will not be allowed, but shuttles will be provided from 400 National Way.
There will be enhanced security during this period at the library, Giller said. No large bags, cameras or strollers will be allowed, and all bags will be inspected. Gifts and flowers will be accepted at the bottom of Presidential Drive and at the shuttle pickup location.
In lieu of flowers, Reagan asked that contributions be made to the Ronald Reagan Memorial Fund at reaganlibrary.com.
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Giller said the former first lady used to visit the library six to 10 times a year. She visited every June on the anniversary of her husband’s death, Giller said.
She was very involved with the library as a member of the board and was “instrumental” in bringing the Air Force One exhibit and, more recently, the September presidential debate, to the library, which helped raise its national profile, Giller said.
“Ten to 15 years ago, the Reagan library had a much smaller imprint on our nation,” Giller said. “Without her, we wouldn’t have been able to do all the things that we have achieved so far.”
taylor.goldenstein@latimes.com
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