LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – Former US first lady Nancy Reagan was lying in repose at her husband’s presidential library on Wednesday, with members of the public paying their last respects ahead of a private funeral.

Reagan, who died Sunday at age 94 due to heart failure, will be buried next to her husband, conservative icon Ronald Reagan, on the grounds of the library in the city of Simi Valley near Los Angeles.

A hearse carrying Nancy Reagan’s coffin traveled as part of a motorcade on Wednesday along several highways, with firefighters standing at attention on overpasses, before arriving at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library.

Eight Secret Service agents carried her coffin inside, library spokeswoman Melissa Giller said.

Public visitation is Wednesday and Thursday, with the private funeral at 11 am (1900 GMT) Friday.

One thousand people, including First Lady Michelle Obama, former first lady and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and former president George W Bush and his wife Laura are expected to attend.

Other expected attendees include actress Anjelica Huston, singer Wayne Newton, 1980s TV star Mr. T and journalists Katie Couric, Sam Donaldson and Chris Matthews.

A fierce protector of her husband and his political legacy, Reagan had outsize influence during her White House years from 1981 to 1989.

Ronald Reagan, the 40th US president, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease after leaving office and went into a long decline, cared for by his wife until his death in 2004.

Nancy Reagan became a tireless advocate for Alzheimer’s research.

Both originally actors, the couple married on March 4, 1952 after meeting in Hollywood. They had two children.