Monday, November 03, 2008

Obama's Grandmother Dies

Prayers to the Obama family. 
CNN: Sen. Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died following a bout with cancer, Obama and his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, said Monday.

She was 86.

"She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility," their statement said.

"She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure."

Obama and Soetoro-Ng asked that donations be made for the search for a cure for cancer in lieu of flowers. A small private ceremony will be held "at a later date."

Dunham passed away peacefully at her home shortly before midnight Sunday night (5 a.m. ET), campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told CNN. She said Obama learned of her death around 8 a.m.

The Democratic presidential candidate left the campaign trail on October 23 and flew to Honolulu, Hawaii, to spend the day with Dunham, whose health deteriorated after she suffered a broken hip.

In North Carolina, Obama spoke of his grandmother.
He said she went home. She died peacefully in her sleep with Obama's sister at her side. He called her a quiet hero, like many people in America, people who just try to do the right thing. The satisfaction they get is seeing that their children do better, he said. In one more day, we have the opportunity to honor these quiet heroes, he said.
After he finished speaking of her, he began to cry and tried to stop the tears.