Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies

On April 12, 1945, West heard about President Roosevelt’s death on the radio. He phoned Crim, and they returned quickly to the White House. The staff had no time to mourn, and West learned that the “secret of White House existence” (52) was loyalty to the institution, not the occupants of the presidential office. The ushers had to locate a bible to use for President Truman’s oath of office. Eleanor requested a few minutes alone with her husband’s body. The coffin was opened for that purpose and then permanently closed. When packing up her husband’s office, Eleanor encouraged West to take a remembrance from the many personal effects of the Roosevelts. He asked and was granted a playpen used by the Roosevelts’ grandchildren. When she left the White House, Eleanor shook hands with Crim and all the ushers.

The Trumans were down-to-earth people, quiet and modest. There was no class difference between Bess Truman and West, as there had been with Eleanor. West became the main contact for Bess for operations in the White House. She was funny, with a dry wit, always impeccably groomed but not with glamour. Comfortable in her own skin, she treated the staff with respect and asked little of them.