Washington, April 16 -- Veteran actor Gene Hackman and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, have been laid to rest following a private memorial attended by close family and friends in Santa Fe.

According to People magazine, the service included the couple's three children, Christopher, Elizabeth, and Leslie, who gathered to honour the late pair's lives and legacy.

The Hackmans were found deceased in their Santa Fe Summit home on February 26.

Weeks later, authorities confirmed that Betsy had passed away from hantavirus, a rare but serious illness contracted through exposure to rodent droppings.

Gene, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor known for his prolific career, died shortly after from complications related to heart dise...