Betty Ford, the former first lady who loved Vail, is now on a postage stamp

Betty Ford’s face is the latest to grace a U.S. postage stamp. That makes the Vail Valley happy.

Those contacted for this story expressed nothing but surprise and delight upon learning of the latest honor for the Ford family and the former first lady.

“I’m so excited to hear that — it’s about time,” said Susan Frampton, the president of the board of trustees for the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail. “She did so many wonderful things.”

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Former President Gerald Ford and Betty started coming to Vail while Gerald was serving in the House of Representatives, representing his home state of Michigan. Gerald Ford in December of 1973 was appointed vice president by former President Richard Nixon, and became president after Nixon resigned in August of 1974. The Fords’ very public visits to Vail continued during that time, and after Ford left office in early 1977.

The Fords eventually settled in Rancho Mirage, California. That’s where the U.S. Postal Service will hold its April 5 ceremony honoring Betty’s presence on the service’s latest Forever Stamp.

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But the Fords are a big part of the Vail Valley’s history and heritage.

“She was Vail before she was Rancho Mirage,” Sheika Gramshammer said. The Fords briefly stayed at Hotel Gasthof Gramshammer before settling into the first of their condos in town.

Gramshammer knew the Fords well and is a life trustee of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

That name was more than just an honor.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Director Nicola Ripley noted that the Fords were frequent visitors to the gardens, and Betty often helped with fundraising events.

Ripley recalled a time several years ago when she was working in the gardens and had her then-infant daughter parked in a stroller by a bench.

“I heard a voice — ‘Do you mind if we move the stroller?'” Ripley recalled. It was the Fords, who wanted to take a seat on that bench.

“We’re happy to watch her for a while,” Betty said to Ripley.

Longtime resident Elaine Kelton was effusive in her praise for the former first lady.

“She was gracious and elegant right to her core,” Kelton said. And, she noted, Ford displayed courage in being open about her own breast cancer and addiction issues.

Ford “opened doors that needed to be opened,” Kelton said. “She made (breast cancer and addiction) an acceptable subject.

And, Kelton added, Ford was part of the Vail community.

Ripley recalled that Betty would come to strategic planning sessions when she was in the valley.

Betty is the gardens’ “Honorary Director in Memoriam,” but was never a formal member of the board, Ripley said.

“I was always a little nervous when it was her turn to speak,” Ripley said. “She always blew me away how thoughtful and articulate she was. She was a valuable contributor.”

Ripley added: “We couldn’t be more proud to be named for Betty. Everything she did has served the test of time.”

She then joked that her office may just buy out the local supply of the new stamps.