USFuneralDirector

CNN is reporting that Nancy Reagan will attend the funeral of Betty Ford, tomorrow in Palm Desert, California. Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter, Bill & Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama will also attend. But strangely there is no word of George HW & Barbara Bush or George W. & Laura Bush attending. Hmmm, the elder Bushes were thought to be quite close to the Fords and honestly with HW's health issues, it would be understood if he didn't go. Yet why isn't Barbara going? Is there something with her health that is keeping her away? And is this a sign that we should add her to the 2012 DL? I know I posted earlier that Nancy & HW would suffice. But I'm wondering now if Nancy should stay off and George & Barbara be the "married couple on the reaper list".

Kirk Douglas, he looked rather frail in his appearance at the Oscars, last winter.

I see where she released a public statement on Betty Ford's death. Given recent reports that Mrs. Reagan is getting more frail, it will be interesting to see if she is able to travel to Michigan for the funeral. If this is the case, historians could have a very rare opportunity to have the 6 living First Ladies together. Those gatherings don't happen very often. But irregardless, I think Nancy Reagan should be kept on for the 2012 DL. She is now the oldest surviving former occupant of the White House (age 90). In addition, now that Betty Ford is gone, and we need at least one more "presidential deathlister", George HW Bush should be considered. Bush is now 87 and growing increasingly frail, due to a form of Parkinson's Disease. Media reports say that he is relying on a wheelchair or a scooter cart for mobility. His wife Barbara, now 86, seems to be functioning well, despite heart surgery 2 years ago. The other ex presidents and first ladies: Carters, Clintons, and the younger Bushes all seem to be in relatively good health. So my thinking is that Nancy Reagan and George HW Bush would be the next 2 best bets.

Betty Ford

http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/bo...fid=site_search Here is a recent interview with Dole, conducted by National Journal. It states he is back at "work". But look at the photo and listen to the recording of the interview, his voice sounds very haggard and almost out of breath. This man could still a successful DL bet for 2011.

Here's an update on Cheney's health. Doesn't sound very promising in the long run......... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/05/...in7215261.shtml

He's back in the hospital. http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=13804596

I am just curious if anyone would like to offer their predictions of who on the DL will pass by the end of the year. The interesting thing will be to see if we can break the record of 15, set in 2003.

2 Israeli leaders on here: Hmmm, will it be him or Sharon for a 2011 success?

It obviously didn't do him for last year, but this year, we shall see.....

While this man is elderly and lived a long rich life, his death will be a very sad loss to democracy and humanity throughout the world. He has set a fine example of courage and leadership.

That's what I would like to know........

Been dead for quite a while. Then again you posted this quite a while ago:)

Here is an updated list of Hollywood possibilities 85 & over as of 2011 1. Luise Rainer born 1910 2. Norman Lloyd, born 1914 3. Frank Cady born 1915 4. Celeste Holm, born 1917 5. Phyllis Diller, born 1917 6. Joan Fontaine, born 1917 7. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. born 1918 8. Mickey Rooney, born 1920 9. Abe Vigoda, born 1921 10. Carol Channing, born 1921 11. Jane Russell, born 1921 13. Deanna Durbin, born 1921 14. Christopher Lee, born 1922 15. William Schallert, born 1922 16. Norman Lear, born 1922 17. Sid Caesar, born 1922 18. Jackie Cooper, born 1922 19. Cliff Robertson, born 1923 20. Eva Marie Saint ,born 1924 21. Lauren Bacall, born 1924 22. Hal Holbrook, born 1925 23. George Kennedy, born 1925 24. Dick Van Dyke, born 1925 25. Joyce Randolph, born 1925

Wonder what the chances are that Harry will "mash" in 2011?

It's getting time for "Old Hollywood" to have a major loss. And she would certainly be a big one.

If she did in fact die this year, it would no doubt be a significant hit for DL; especially in terms of the entertainment world.

Well considering it's been almost 4 years since anyone has posted on this thread, does anyone know the state of Andrews' health and/or condition in 2011?

I would say that Aretha fits into the mold of Dick Cheney with a moderate to strong chance of being a 2011 DL. Pancreatic cancer is usually something that no one recovers from........

Kirk is in competition with his son Michael on the 2011 DL. Is this the first time that a father & son have been on the list together? Unusual, but sad....

Glad to see Dick Cheney on the 2011 DL, should have been here a few years ago. I think his his seriously declining health within the past year makes him a good choice. In terms of potential success, I'd say that there is a better than 50% chance that Cheney will be a DL success this year. His heart disease and congestive heart failure have progressively worsened in 2010. The big issue is the artificial heart pump that now basically keeps him alive. It is still a new piece of technology and the average survival rate is 2 years. Cheney had this operation in 2010, so that gives him until 2012. I noticed in his recent speech at the Bush Library groundbreaking (where he was so thin and had a cane) that he was wheezing (congested & short of breath) badly between words. That is a leading symptom or outward sign of advanced congestive heart failure. To be honest, I am expecting to hear BREAKING NEWS of his passing at any time. Advanced congestive heart failure is basically the end of the road.

Bob Dole is a moderate to strong choice for DL and a really good first time pick. He will be 88 in July 2011 and in the past few years has had his share of health problems: abdominal bleeding surgery in 2001, hip surgery in 2005 (along with bleeding of the brain), heart problems & leg surgery in 2009. But 2010 brought him a 9 month hospital stay in Washington D.C. for knee surgery and 3 bouts of pneumonia. His health is obviously failing; seriously. As a former congressman & senator, 1976 Republican VP candidate & 1996 Republican pres candidate, his death would warrant a degree of public attention and media coverage.

Betty Ford should remain on DL until she does in fact pass away. After reading the article in which her daughter discusses her current situation, I'm kind of thinking that the daughter is exaggerating a bit. Mrs. Ford is almost 93 years old; she has survived breast cancer, 1974, alcohol & pill addiction, 1978, heart surgery in 1987, operations for blood clots in 2006 & 2007, and a 40 + year battle with degenerative arthritis. As a former First Lady, she gets the best medical care that is available and I would imagine that she has round-the-clock assistance/nursing care in her home. An ordinairy citizen with that type of health history would have died 20 years ago. I don't know that she is in a terminally ill condition, but common sense tells one that she really can't last much longer. I'd say at maximum....2-3 years, if not this year.

I am glad to see Nancy Reagan back on the DL. She is at best a slight to moderate success for 2011, but still a good choice. This year she will be 90 years old and her recent appearances (what few there have been) show her to be getting rather frail and walking with a cane.

I'd keep my eye on these notable U.S. politicans for 2011: 1. Sargent Shriver, born 1915 founder of Peace Corp, JFK brother in law, ex VP candidate. At 95, he is suffering from advanced Alzheimers Disease. 2. Bob Dole, born 1923, former senator & 1996 Republican presidential candidate. At 87, he has spent much of 2010 in and out of the hospital for multiple bouts of pneumonia. 3. Dick Cheney, born 1941- ex U.S. VP. Only 69, but is seriously ill with congestive heart failure and has looked horrible in recent appearances.