NIXON LIVED, DIED WITH DIGNITY

Former First Lady Pat Nixon has died at age 81. A gracious lady and first lady, she stood uncomplaining by her husband's side in both triumph and defeat.

Since Richard Nixon's forced resignation from the White House in 1974, she had suffered two strokes and several lung infections. She died Tuesday of lung cancer at their New Jersey home.

Pat Nixon lived in the limelight with dignity and grace standing beside her husband through his rise in power. That same dignity served her well in what Nixon himself called nearly two decades of "exile" after Watergate and his resignation as president.

Her strength in life and death provide an example of courage for all of us.