LONDON -- On March 31, the Saturday before Easter Sunday, Elizabeth, the queen mother, passed away peacefully at the age of 101.
Born in 1900, she had lived through the whole of the 20th century and had become, especially in her old age, an increasingly popular figure. She continued to perform public duties up to the last few months of her life. Dressed in bright colors, especially in green, with a stylish hat, she charmed all who met her with a vivacious smile and plenty of small talk. She loved horse racing and enjoyed her gin and tonic. In royal circles she was renowned for her good humor and sense of fun.
The part she played as consort to King George VI in World War II particularly endeared her to many ordinary people in Britain. When it looked as though Britain would be invaded by Nazi forces, she refused to contemplate sending her two daughters, Elizabeth (the present queen) and Margaret (who died earlier this year), to Canada, sticking by the side of her husband throughout the worst crises of the war.