Dianne Feinstein, the longest-serving woman senator in U.S. history, lies in state Wednesday in the building where her political career began. San Francisco’s City Hall was adorned with flags and flowers as Feinstein’s casket arrived to be greeted by San Francisco service members on horseback.
Feinstein, the first woman mayor of San Francisco and the first woman president of the city’s Board of Supervisors, died last week at the age of 90 in her home in Washington, D.C.
The senator’s casket was ceremoniously carried Wednesday morning into the City Hall Rotunda by San Francisco firefighters, police officers, sheriff’s deputies and park rangers.
An honor guard carries the the casket of the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein to the stairs of San Francisco City Hall before a day of lying in state in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Feinstein served as mayor San Francisco from 1978 to 1988, and as senator from 1992 to 2023 when she passed. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Bay City News) 
(From left) Dianne Feinstein’s son-in-law Rick Mariano, her granddaughter Eileen Mariano, her daughter Katherine Feinstein and San Francisco Mayor London Breed greet the body of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein as it arrives outside of City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Bay City News) 
The body of Senator Dianne Feinstein is brought into San Francisco City Hall for a day of public viewing in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Bay City News) 
The body of Senator Dianne Feinstein is brought into San Francisco City Hall for a day of public viewing in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Bay City News)
Among the family members, coworkers and staff there were House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who approached and kissed the casket while holding the hand of Feinstein’s daughter.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pays her respects to the late Senator Dianne Feinstein alongside her husband Paul Pelosi, left, and Dianne Feinstein’s daughter Katherine Feinstein as her body lies in state in the Rotunda of City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Bay City News) 
Nancy Pelosi with the family of Senator Dianne Feinstein before a public viewing at San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Bay City News)
Tears were shed by Lisa Wunderman, who said she worked with Feinstein as her personal scheduling secretary when she was mayor in the 1980s.
“Her original staff members remain close to her family and we are deeply bonded and loyal and continue to meet every year,” Wunderman said.
“I met my husband working there and when we were getting married, Feinstein gave me the gift of her grandmother’s ring, which I passed down to my daughter on her wedding day.”
The senator will remain in the Rotunda, where the public can pay respects until 7 p.m. Wednesday. At 6 p.m., the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus will perform a final tribute. The event will be available on live-stream government television at https://sfgovtv.org/.
Memorial service update
Thursday’s memorial for the late senator in San Francisco will no longer be open to the public, her office said at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Feinstein’s office said the change was due to “increased security,” but did not elaborate.
Only invited guests will have access to the service, her office said.
Those wishing to still view the memorial service are encourage to instead watch it online at https://sfgovtv.org/FeinsteinMemorial.
BCN staff Katy St. Clair contributed to this report.
Note to readers: This story has been updated to include latest announcement from late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office regarding her memorial.
