By Mike Vasilinda, Capitol News Service Feed
A dozen or so people, including this pool reporter watch from one of the three windows in the Capitol Rotunda’s second floor as the casket was moved into the building.
Donna Lou Askew and family arrived looking very stoic at 9:30, followed by the honor guard carrying the Governor at 9:40.
Rick Scott and Wife Ann held hands as the casket was set in place and were the first to pay their respects to the family.
Charlotte McGuire, the oldest female doctor in the state and the main mover behind both Shands Hospital and the FSU Medical School followed after the Governor and Cabinet. She is a close friend of the Askew’s and a resident at Westminster, where the Askew’s lived.
Mary Jane Martinez cupped the face of Mrs. Askew as she paid her respects with her husband, Governor Bob Martinez. Governor/US Senator Bob Graham followed as did Wayne Mixon. Governor Mixon was the first to touch the casket and lingered for a moment.
Eric Kirk, whose father preceded Askew in the Governor’s office and in death, and who was also 85 when he passed, called the moment “surrealistic†having been through the same ceremony in 2011.
Present in the receiving line were:
Donna Lou Askew, ,son, Kevin, daughter Angela, spouses and three grandchildren.
Donna Lou remained smiling through much of the event, finally leaving shortly after 10:15
Photo of the Askew family on the State Capitol steps:
Photo of Mrs. Reuben Askew in the receiving line:
