11/03/2008
Barack Obama's Grandmother Dies
Statement from Obama and his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng:
"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. 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.
...Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer."
Posted 4:42 PM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Deaths, News | Permalink
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What a tragedy that this fine woman, who helped to raise such a remarkable man, died the day before he will almost undoubtedly reach the pinnacle of power and achievement.
My heart breaks for her family and for the fact that she didn't live to see him reach the mountaintop.
On a much more prosaic note, I can't help but note that the drama of this man's story and of this campaign is almost operatic. If a Hollywood scriptwriter had scripted it this way, no one would have bought it for its utter implausibility.
RIP Madelyn Dunham.
Posted by: Hermes in DC | Nov 3, 2008 4:56:03 PM
What an emotional end to this campaign. They say that even in her illness she followed the election news. Even with the pain she must have died satisfied; and hopefully, impressed with her skills at being a grandmother.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Nov 3, 2008 4:57:44 PM
How unbearably sad that she will not get to witness her grandson's greatest triumph tomorrow. She not only raised a president but one that will be transformational. Our country owes her a great debt of gratitude.
Posted by: rudy | Nov 3, 2008 5:02:30 PM
it is so sad that she didn't get to see her grandson ascend to the highest office in our country, indeed, the world. god bless her and god bless barack and his family.
Posted by: nic | Nov 3, 2008 5:23:02 PM
Damn!
It sounded like hospice care when they sent her home from the hospital right before Obama went to go see her. Bless hospice = great people
Damn Damn damn! 1 day
1 freaking day. I bet she was fighting tooth and nail with what strength she had left to see the election but just couldn't make it in the end.
Damn!
Rest In peace Madelyn (Tut)and peace be with the Obama family
:-(
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Nov 3, 2008 5:35:05 PM
this is truly sad...
maybe i'm totally cold, but i can't help but think this may help remind voters with some racist tendencies that Obama is half white.
Posted by: ANON | Nov 3, 2008 5:46:15 PM
We do indeed owe this remarkable woman a debt of gratitude for her fine work in helping raise a man who will no doubt help to transform our country again and allow us to own our place as a country to be looked up to. I have every faith that Senator Obama will be able to do just that.
So sad for him to lose his grandmother but how fortunate he spent some last time with her the past weekend.
RIP Madelyn Dunham.
Posted by: CK | Nov 3, 2008 6:05:18 PM
My prayers and condolences go out to Mr Obama's extended family. Any death is a loss. Hopefully, Madelyn will be watching (and guiding) from a better place.
Posted by: pope369 | Nov 3, 2008 6:10:05 PM
Poor lamb. Rest in peace. She did a good thing for this world.
Posted by: The Milkman | Nov 3, 2008 6:24:35 PM
Wow. I'm beside myself. I've yet to see 'Bama respond to this in person, but I'll assume that he'll do so with eloquence, as per usual.
Which will be a real lesson for hate-spewing, shrill antics of the McCain/Palin campaign.
One day before the election. Jeebus. But in all honesty, I think it would have killed her to live to see the 5th of November and come to realize all of the dirty shenanigans the Repugs will have pulled to fix this election. I don't want to sound like a defeatist, but I'm prepared to assume the fetal position should it occur.
Posted by: banjiboi | Nov 3, 2008 6:30:45 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with the Obama family during such a difficult time. It is a shame she did not live to see the election through, but I'm sure her spirit is looking down from Heaven and smiling upon her grandson. RIP.
Posted by: CJ | Nov 3, 2008 6:45:02 PM
Posted by: ANON | Nov 3, 2008 5:46:15 PM
Good point.
:(
Posted by: Rowan | Nov 3, 2008 7:05:00 PM
Rest In Peace Toot.
Posted by: Okie | Nov 3, 2008 7:18:31 PM
God bless you Toot. Cheer us on tomorrow.
Posted by: Tralfaz | Nov 3, 2008 7:21:47 PM
This is tremendously sad, particularly just one day before the election.
The one bright side I can see to this tragic story is the fact that the death of this woman will force those idiots to shut up about Obama "really traveling to Hawaii to clear up birth certificate issues, not to visit his dying grandmother."
Posted by: gay as life | Nov 3, 2008 10:09:19 PM
To the Milkman...I couldn't have said it better than you did. The contrast between the campaigns is undeniable and the integrity that Obama has shown is a testament to this woman who more or less raised him.
My heart broke when I heard the news because I have been hoping over the last several weeks since the news that she was gravely ill broke that she would live to see her grandson become president. She raised a good man and my hope is that she somehow knew before the rest of us that tomorrow he will become president and that she could happily move on.
Rest in Peace Madelyn Dunham and America thanks you!
Posted by: therm | Nov 4, 2008 2:24:53 AM
The Cancer Research Institute extends its sincerest sympathies to Senator Barack Obama and his family on the loss of his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who succumbed to cancer yesterday.
In the statement from the Obama campaign, the Senator encouraged those who wish to express their condolences to contribute to cancer research. We thank Senator Obama for this thoughtful action at a time of unimaginable grief.
Click here to make a donation in memory of Madelyn Dunham:
http://www.cancerresearch.org/give/memorial/Barack-Obama.html
Posted by: Kelsey | Nov 4, 2008 9:35:29 AM