PDA

View Full Version : Obama's grandmother dies after battle with cancer



Shann
11-03-2008, 03:18 PM
I'm starting a new thread for this as the other one mostly dealt w/ her being sick, not that she's passed :(

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/obama.grandma/index.html

(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.

His wife, Michelle Obama, filled in for him at events in Columbus and Akron, Ohio, on October 24.

Obama said in an interview taped for that day's "Good Morning America" that Dunham had been "inundated" with flowers and messages from strangers who read about her in Obama's 1995 book, "Dreams From My Father."

"Maybe she is getting a sense of long-deserved recognition toward the end of her life," he said.

The candidate resumed his campaign on October 25.

Obama has spoken about his grandmother often on the stump, talking about what an integral figure she was in his youth and how she struggled against the glass ceiling in her career. He and his family traveled to Hawaii in August to visit her.

"She's the one who put off buying a new car or a new dress for herself so that I could have a better life," he said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. "She poured everything she had into me. And although she can no longer travel, I know that she's watching tonight, and that tonight is her night as well."


How sad for his family, regardless of what he believes and if he's dem/rep/ind it's still sad that he's lost a family member.

Mini
11-03-2008, 03:24 PM
Oh noo! :(

madie
11-03-2008, 03:26 PM
That is sad - one day before the elections.

May she rest in peace.

gmyers
11-03-2008, 03:27 PM
Thats sad.

CLARKS4
11-03-2008, 03:33 PM
That is sad regardless of who it is.

Jolie Rouge
11-03-2008, 03:36 PM
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."


I am glad that they are holding off the funereal until he and his family will be available to attend.....

OmaLisa
11-03-2008, 04:05 PM
That is so sad. What a hard thing for him to have to deal with at this time. My condolences to Barack Obama and his sister Maya.

meltodd69
11-03-2008, 04:35 PM
Sorry I posted this too. This is very sad. She is in a better place now.

uzjazz123
11-03-2008, 04:37 PM
Oh no.Just 2 more days to elections.May she rest in peace.

candygirl
11-03-2008, 05:20 PM
My condolences to the family.

YNKYH8R
11-03-2008, 06:18 PM
Oh I see Surfergirl didn't post.....

Anig2u
11-03-2008, 06:21 PM
I am glad that they are holding off the funereal until he and his family will be available to attend.....

I know..what a hard time it must be for the family. So close to Obama becoming president too!! Shame she wont be here to see it.

YankeeMary
11-03-2008, 09:10 PM
It is so sad when anyone looses anyone but this is a little bit harder to swallow as he is the first black to run for Presidency and more than likely win, it would have been nice for her to have gotten to see that. May she rest in peace.

ilovecats
11-03-2008, 09:16 PM
I agree.If he wins how sad she couldn't hold on for one more day and see that the little boy she raised became the POTUS.Hopefully she can look down and see because she is obviously a big part of what he is today.