Describing Endon Mahmood as a 'remarkable woman', the White House said it was deeply saddened with her demise.

The White House extended "its deepest sympathies to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his family and to the people of Malaysia for the loss of such a charming and inspiring woman," its official told Bernama .

Endon, 64, died yesterday after a protracted bout with breast cancer.

President George Bush wrote to Endon just this summer wishing her well and received a gracious letter in return, the White House official said.

Last night, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Ghazzali Sheikh Abdul Khalid and his wife Faridah hosted tahlil prayers for the prime minister's late wife at the embassy.

It was attended by officials, their family members and the Malaysian community there.

Today, Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, James Keith, will visit the embassy to sign the condolence book, a State Department official said.

Meanwhile in Bangkok, Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Kantathi Suphamongkhon today signed the condolence book on Endon's passing at the Malaysian embassy there.

Kantathi was accompanied by his wife Soparvan Suphamongkhon and ministry officials.

He also expressed his sadness over Endon's death to Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand, Shaarani Ibrahim.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai represented the Thai government at Endon's funeral in Putrajaya.

The Malaysian Embassy opened a condolence book at its office in South Sathorn Road here today and Monday.

High Commissioners and ambassadors from Brunei, Slovak, Cuba, Laos and Czech Republic signed the condolence book today.