Funeral held for Ivana Trump
NEW YORK -- The Trump family said goodbye to one of their own Wednesday - Ivana Trump, first wife of former President Donald Trump.
The service was closed to the public, but many gathered outside the church.
CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis spoke to mourners on the Upper East Side.
Pain could be felt from a distance as loved ones exited St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church following the funeral for Ivana Trump.
Family followed as her coffin was carefully carried out of the church, including former President Donald Trump and their three children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
"All the children spoke. They did great. I cried," said Peri Lyman. "They captured the essence of their mom. She was a force of nature."
Lyman's husband was Ivana's longtime attorney, and among friends who attended the private service.
"New York City is a better place because of Ivana Trump," said her former publicist Todd Shapiro. "The Plaza Hotel was falling apart until Ivana Trump went in. Brick by brick, she took that place and built it to what it is today."
Watch Jenna DeAngelis' report
The Czech-born model was living in New York City when she met former President Donald Trump. The pair married in 1977, and were New York's power couple of the '80s.
As his first wife, she helped build his real estate empire. Even after a very public and ugly divorce, decades later, in 2017, she told CBS News they spoke often.
She became a fashion entrepreneur, and even made a cameo in the movie "The First Wives Club."
Even though many people knew they wouldn't get into the church, they still wanted to come by and pay their respects.
"I thought she was an incredible role model for women. I thought she was strong. I thought she had grit and personality, and I had great respect for her," said Maria Duchon of Peapack, N.J.
The funeral was held on the Upper East Side, where she lived. She was found Thursday at the bottom a staircase with blunt impact injuries to the torso. The medical examiner ruled her death an accident.
Wednesday night, her favorite New York restaurant paid tribute with candles, flowers and an empty table in her honor.
Eric Trump posted on Instagram, sharing she was an "incredible woman... caring mother and friend." He asked in lieu of flowers people support her mission to help dogs and donate to Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
Ivana Trump was 73.
