The first female president of the Philippines lost her battle with colon cancer over the weekend, and died Saturday morning of cardiac arrest. Corazon "Cory" Aquino was 76, and in 1986 she was Time magazine’s Woman of the Year.

Aquino was propelled into politics in 1983 when her husband was assassinated during the time of Ferdinand Marcos’s regime. In 1986, Aquino ran against Marcos. Although the incumbent was declared the winner, Aquino’s supporters launched peaceful protests dubbed the "People Power" uprising against vote fraud allegations, and eventually, a civilian-military revolt forced Marcos out of office. While in office, this housewife-turned-politician fought for democracy and served as an example to South Korea, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

"Her courage, determination and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation," said President Barack Obama.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Manila today to bid farewell to Aquino. Her coffin, draped in the Philippine flag on a bed of yellow flowers, was carried in a truck through the site of the "people power" movement. Yellow — her choice of color for her campaign against Marcos — was everywhere. Many people sang popular democracy movement songs, flashed the "fight" sign and carried signs saying "Thank you Cory Aquino" and "Good-bye."

But there will be no state funeral for this great leader, reports Reuters. Aquino’s youngest daughter said her family turned down the offer because of differences with the current government, stemming from a government decision to recall two soldiers serving as her mother’s security detail after Aquino called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down in 2005. Aquino was an ally of Arroyo before accusations  of corruption and election fraud.

Meanwhile, former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos — the wife of the man Aquino and her supporters forced from office — says she wants a reconciliation with the Aquino family, reports Agence France-Presse. "I can feel the pain, the loss of a loved one, so I am in prayer. If these two families reconciled, there will be a miracle for the Philippines," Marcos said.