Obama's grandmother dies in Hawaii

herekitty · #1 11-03-2008, 02:19 PM

Obama's grandmother dies in Hawaii | National | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Quote:

Madelyn Dunham, grandmother of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, died today after a battle with cancer. She was 86.

Dunham, who lived in Hawaii, died on the eve of an election in which her grandson was leading in the race to become president.

"She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility," Obama said in a statement released by his campaign. "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."

Obama flew to Hawaii for two days in the final stretch of the campaign to be with the woman he called "Toot," short for "tutu," the Hawaiian word for grandmother. He has credited her with his success in life, saying she "poured everything she had into me."

pablita · #2 11-03-2008, 02:21 PM

My heart broke when I read that on the nytimes. So close to election day.

herekitty · #3 11-03-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablita

My heart broke when I read that on the nytimes. So close to election day.

I know.
I'm sure she's proud of him no matter what, but if she could have just lived a couple more days.

And it sucks for him in every way imaginable. It's hard enough to lose someone but the day before one of the toughest days of your life? ouch.

Model · #4 11-03-2008, 06:29 PM

i hope sympathy votes help.

alpha zygote · #5 11-03-2008, 09:52 PM

it seems like a bizarre juxtaposition. you're on the edge of the world stage and dealing with a major personal loss like that. no time to mourn. but i guess that's life.