RIP Madelyn Dunham, grandmother to Obama
Update: CNN has the story online now.
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 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.”
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MSNBC just reported that Barack Obama’s grandmother died today. She was 86 and cancer took her.
Thank you, Madelyn, for the gift of your grandson. I’m sure your grace and hard work will continue on through him.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
How bittersweet this time must be for their family. I can’t imagine.
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
If Barack Obama were a character in a novel — or better yet, an opera — we might reject him because his life would be entirely too unbelievable.
For example, the character of Josh Lyman on West Wing is informed, on the night his candidate Gov. Bartlett wins the decisive Illinois (!) primary, that his father has died. Elation turns to crushing sadness. As a literary device, too convenient. And/But perhaps a reminder that art imitates life after all.