Nancy Reagan mourned by Pa. notables, remembered as 'remarkable' woman

When Nancy Reagan visited Pittsburgh in April 1983, her goal was to try to save the next generation of children from teen drug abuse.

Reagan's two-day visit included taping a program called “The Chemical People” at the WQED studios in Oakland, part of a national community project to combat drug and alcohol use.

“She was such an amazing, remarkable woman. I can just remember being taken aback by her grace and bearing,” said Jeanne Caliguiri, widow of the late Pittsburgh Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri.

Caliguiri and her husband attended an event at the William Penn Hotel, Downtown, where Reagan discussed her signature anti-drug efforts. Reagan, who became known for her “Just Say No” campaign to prevent drug addiction, met with a wide range of community and religious leaders to spread her message.

Reagan honored Pittsburgh community members who served as volunteers in youth programs stressing the importance of parental involvement in schools.

Caliguiri said it was an honor as Pittsburgh's first lady to meet the nation's first lady, and to welcome Reagan in her hometown to talk about such a critical issue affecting young people.

Caliguiri recalled how someone doing advance preparation for the event asked her if she would mind attending because Reagan was a Republican and she was a Democrat.

“I remember saying, ‘Of course not, this is the first lady of our country. I am honored to be asked,' ” Caliguiri said.

Caliguiri said the event was held in the elegant grand ballroom of the iconic hotel where the late Lloyd Kaiser, then president and general manager of WQED, and her husband were in attendance, along with Reid Carpenter, president of the Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation.

During a luncheon event attended by the late Caliguiri and then Gov. Dick Thornburgh's wife, Ginny, Reagan stressed the urgency of “losing an entire generation” to drugs and alcohol dependence.

“I had so much admiration for her efforts in the critical issue of drug abuse and mental illness,” said Ginny Thornburgh, who championed mental health issues as Pennsylvania's first lady.

Thornburgh said she and the former first lady attended many events together and shared a common trait — strong marriages.

“Like me, she was completely devoted to her husband and a fierce fighter for him and his causes,” she said.

Charlie Gerow, a Harrisburg media consultant who orchestrated numerous advance trips for Reagan, praised her crusade against drug abuse.

“She was so very effective and succinct in delivering that message,” Gerow said.

Gerow served for eight years as part of Reagan's campaign team and continued to work for the Reagans for six years after the president left office. “I also did Nancy's events once he became too ill to travel, including one that inadvertently had both of us staying in the same suite in Philadelphia in 1997,” Gerow said.

“Nancy was a great woman — this is truly an end of an era,” he said of the former first lady's death.

Gerow did the advance work for President Reagan's funeral in Washington in 2004, and said he saw Nancy Reagan often over the years, including in California before the beginning of the campaign season started last year.

“The thing about Nancy is that she was complete when she was with her husband, and he was with her. She was also the best promoter and advocate for Ronnie,” Gerow said.

“He said she was his best friend, and he meant that wholeheartedly. There will be a great reunion today.”

Salena Zito is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at szito@tribweb.com.