By Mark Scott
Washington, DC – A nun from Buffalo was in the national spotlight Wednesday during a memorial service for the late Tim Russert. She joined such luminaries as former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and singer Bruce Springsteen in remembering the beloved journalist.
Sister Mary Lucille taught Russert at St. Bonaventure Elementary School in West Seneca during the early 1960s. She recalled how Russert combined a love of learning with sports. She said Russert developed his leadership skills while serving as editor of the school's newspaper.
But Sister Lucille choked up as she described their mutual love for the Kennedy brothers.
Russert worked as an aide to former Governor Mario Cuomo in the 1980s before joining NBC News as Washington bureau chief. Cuomo said describing Russert as a great journalist somehow falls short. He said people are expressing their love of Russert because of his genuineness and the respect he showed others.
Making a surprise appearance on a video monitor from Europe where he's touring was Russert's favorite singer Bruce Springsteen. He performed an acoustic version of "Thunder Road," a song he had dedicated to Russert during a concert the night after he died.
But the most touching part of the more than 90 minute service was when Russert's son Luke came to the podium.
"His spirit lives on in everybody who loves their country, loves their family, loves their faith and loves those Buffalo Bills," Luke said. "I love you, Dad. And, in his words, let us all 'go get 'em!'"
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Mark Scott's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.