Colorado politicians are remembering former first lady Barbara Bush as a pillar of strength and character who fiercely loved both her family and country.

Mrs. Bush “was the unique type of woman who could tell you to go jump in a lake in colorful language – you would listen to her tell you that, and then you just wanted to give her a big hug,” reminisced state Treasurer Walker Stapleton to The Gazette’s editorial board in a piece published Tuesday evening.

Stapleton’s mother is a first cousin to Mrs. Bush’s widower, former President George H.W. Bush.

Stapleton remembered his ‘Aunt Barb’ as a motherly figure who could “give you a tongue lashing like nobody else” and who “would not tolerate rude behavior, selfishness or bad manners of any kind.”

“She had the innate ability to treat all people, regardless of background, equally and with respect and civility,” he said. “I want my two young daughters to embody those values.”

U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn released a statement Wednesday calling Mrs. Bush “an exceptional First Lady who symbolized grace and character not only in the political arena, but in her personal life as well.”

“Her example of integrity and strength is an inspiration to our country,” the Republican from Colorado Springs said.

Colorado’s U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat, took to Twitter late Tuesday to mourn Mrs. Bush’s passing. She will “forever remembered by those who knew her, loved her and were impacted by her dedication to public service,” he said.

“We’ll commemorate her legacy by continuing her work toward universal literacy,” he added.

Bennet’s colleague, U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican, tweeted similarly Tuesday night, calling Mrs. Bush “an American icon.”

“The entire Bush family (is) in my family’s prayers tonight,” he tweeted. “Her commitment to public service and love of country was unquestionable.”

Other members of Colorado’s congressional delegation took to Twitter to laud the late first lady:

Mrs. Bush, the wife of the nation’s 41st president and mother of the 43rd, died at her home in Houston on Tuesday at age 92.

“I had the best job in America,” she wrote in a 1994 memoir describing her time in the White House. “Every single day was interesting, rewarding, and sometimes just plain fun.”

Mrs. Bush had declined further medical treatment for health problems and was to focus instead on “comfort care” at home in Houston, a family spokesman said Sunday. She had recently been hospitalized for congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Both President Donald Trump and Gov. John Hickenlooper have ordered flags lowered until sunset on the day of her internment.

A funeral is planned Saturday at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, which Mrs. Bush and her husband regularly attended. Mrs. Bush will lie in repose Friday at the church for members of the public who want to pay respects. Saturday’s service will be by invitation only, according to the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.