Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, died of natural causes in her Washington, D.C., home Friday morning. A military flight transporting her body landed at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday evening.
Unlike many renowned senators before her, Feinstein did not remain in the U.S. capital to lie in state, instead returning home to family, friends and colleagues awaiting her in San Francisco.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein will be honored by President Joe Biden and other high-profile Democrats at a private funeral service Thursday October 5, 2023 in San Francisco. Biden will deliver a tribute to Feinstein's life and legacy by audio message, while the other Democratic leaders - Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California - will make remarks in person, according to the official program. San Francisco Mayor London Breed will open the service.
The funeral will take place at San Francisco City Hall, where Feinstein began her political career on the city's board of supervisors before becoming mayor in 1978, serving for a decade in that role. She was elected to the Senate in 1992.
"There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother," Feinstein's office said in the statement announcing her passing. "Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state. She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary."
Feinstein's memorial service was initially open to the public, but it was changed to a private event for security reasons, according to a news release. The service will be livestreamed on SF Government YouTube page. Feinstein's body lay in state at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday.
"Dianne made her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties," Biden said in a statement after the announcement of her death last week. "She's made history in so many ways, and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations."
Feinstein's granddaughter, Eileen Mariano, will deliver the closing remarks Thursday, followed by a music performance by the San Francisco Girls Chorus.
For more information: https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2023/visuals/feinstein-visitation/
https://sfgovtv.org/sfgovtv-live-events https://www.youtube.com/@SFGovTV
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/29/us/politics/dianne-feinstein-obituary.html
https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=EC4F7754-3513-4368-A433-DCA2E972947A