May 24, 2018

Legacy Luncheon Benefits O’Connor Institute, Hospice of the Valley

Luncheon co-chairs Gena Bonsall, left, and Penny Gunning, right, with former first lady Laura Bush; Laura Bush

The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, in collaboration with Hospice of the Valley, presented the inaugural Legacy Luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore on April 25. The event was created by the Ladies of the Court, the Women’s Board of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, to honor Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Former first lady Laura Bush was the featured speaker for the occasion, discussing her memoir Spoken from the Heart. She delighted the sold-out audience of 665 guests with fond recollections of her days in the White House as well as reflections on her mother-in-law Barbara Bush – also a former first lady – who passed away April 17. Following her presentation, she sat down with Lin Sue Cooney, Hospice of the Valley director of community engagement, for an informal question-and-answer session.

Both the ballroom and the menu reflected Bush’s Texas home, with yellow roses as part of the décor and a menu that included barbecue chicken salad and a Texas shaped jalapeño shortbread cookie. The Ladies of the Court also wore yellow roses. To honor Barbara Bush, many guests wore blue, her favorite color, and pearls, her signature jewelry.

Gena Bonsall and Penny Gunning co-chaired the event, which raised more than $400,000 to benefit the O’Connor Institute and Hospice of the Valley.

TIMON HARPER PHOTOGRAPHY

Ladies of the Court, Women’s Board of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, with Laura Bush

Laura Bush with Sue Selig

Laura Bush and Nikal Conti

Laura Bush and Bert Getz

Laura Bush and Amanda Garmany

Laura Bush and Betty McRae, who shared with guests during the VIP reception that when she was growing up in Midland, TX, George H.W. Bush, later to become the 41st president, was her Sunday School teacher