Obama's Grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, dies of cancer UPDATED with Video
Madelyn Dunham, the grandmother who was the anchor in the life of the child that was Barack Obama, died today just hours before polling stations opened in America's historic election.
"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer," Obama said in a joint statement with his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng.
"She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength and humility."
Dunham, 86, had been in poor health for the duration of Obama's campaign - though he has often said that she followed politics avidly.
Just two weeks ago, her grandson took a break from campaigning to visit her at her modest apartment block in central Honolulu after she fell and broke her hip.
Some had seen the hiatus at such a critical time as a political risk to Obama, but the Democrat said that one of his greatest regrets was his failure to be with his mother when she was dying of ovarian cancer.
He also admitted then he was not sure that his grandmother would live to see election day.
I'd like to think that she died with the peace and assurance in her heart that her grandson will win the election on Tuesday. The Obama family has asked that in lieu of flowers, people wishing to pay their respects donate in Dunham's name "to any worthy organization in search for a cure for cancer."
UPDATED: Obama spoke about his grandmother in North Carolina this evening:
Obviously, this is a little bit of a bittersweet time for me. We have had a remarkable campaign. And, you know, when we started 21 months ago, I didn't know how it would turn out. And no matter what happens tomorrow, I'm going to feel good about how its turned out because all of you have created this incredible campaign. Some of you have heard that my grandmother who helped raise me passed away early this morning. And look, she has gone home. And she died peacefully in her sleep. With my sister at her side. And so there is great joy as well as tears. I'm not going to talk about it too long because its hard, a little, to talk about.I want everybody to know, though, a little bit about her. Her name was Madelyn Dunham. She was born in Kansas in a small town in 1922. Which means that she lived through the Great Depression, she lived through two World Wars, she watched her husband go off to war while she looked after a baby and worked on a bomber assembly line. When her husband came back, they benefited from the GI Bill and they moved West and eventually ended up in Hawaii. And she was somebody who was a very humble person and a very plainspoken person.
She was one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America who, they're not famous, their names aren't in the newspapers, but each and every day, they work hard. They look after their families. They sacrifice for their children and their grandchildren. They aren't seeking the limelight. All they try to do is just do the right thing. And in this crowd, there are a lot of quiet heroes like that. Mothers and fathers, grandparents who have worked hard and sacrificed all their lives. And the satisfaction that they get is seeing that their children and maybe their grandchildren, or their great grandchildren, live a better life than they did. That's what America is about. That's what we're fighting for. And North Carolina, in just one more day, we have the opportunity to honor all those quiet heroes all across America, and all across North Carolina. To bring change to America to make sure that their work and their sacrifice is honored. That's what we're fighting for.
condolences to Obama :(
That sucks.
Bite my shiny metal ass.
http://www.startalkradio.net/
I don't give a toss.
I *hope* the right wingers can show some respect here- I fear they may joke about this
I was reading little green snotballs and I have to give them credit, they are enormously respectful. Also, the owner of the site promised immediate termination of any account where anyone said anything disrespectful.
As much as I dislike them, I give them props for that.
{Deleted, Have you no decency? You couldn't even wait one day.SiteMonitor}
I've never heard him say anything about his grandmother that wasn't full of praise. Take your trolling elsewhere.
Sorry to hear......
... knowing that she did a great job raising such an amazing young man. She must be very proud. My condolences to Obama and his family. And the Best thing we can all do for the memory of this woman is to Vote!
Only when the last tree has died
and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught
will we realize we cannot eat money.
May Obama have the strength of her thoughts in a world ready to move forward towards acceptance...
May he feel her steady hand guide him in the tough times. Aloha, and mahalo for a job well done.
Condolences to the family.
loses his grandmother,the RNC files a complaint about his visit to her. What pondscum.
"I'd like to think that she died with the peace and assurance in her heart that her grandson will win the election on Tuesday."
Me too, Nicole, me too. Maybe she felt she had done all she could for him and she could say good-bye knowing great things lay ahead for him.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
It is my hope that cancer and other diseases will be eradicated quickly, so that most of us might grow and enjoy life indefinitely.
Grandmothers can be incredibly special people in a kids life. Mine sure was.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
nothing but smiles for my grandmom. Cancer took her from a huge family and an even greater number of friends. If her funeral was the measure of her life, she built a world with enough love to survive her passing.
I will always be immeasurably grateful for the chance to sit in her kitchen and help with the preparation of an Easter dinner for 20 people. The smells of the biscuits made from scratch, the whole, unskinned ham baking for 18 hours along with a 21lb turkey, cornbread muffins, yams, red rice, collard and mustard greens, Boston Baked Beans(Caps required) which cooked from dry for three days and two nights :
I know Barack has memories of his own like those of mine and I sincerely hope and believe that those memories will add to his purpose and resolve.
Some stuff you can't make up!
He stated a couple of weeks ago that Obama's trip to Hawaii was a political ploy to garner sympathy. Will he apologize?
Yeah right.
VOTE.
California GOP just now today announced that they've filed an FEC complaint against Obama for flying to see his now-deceased grandmother on his campaign plane.
I love the smell of Repu’ublicist desperation in the morning! Smells like Obama victory.
ps- given that she died just a little while ago, the GOP ploy will go over really well, 'eh?
Joe? Joe the Plumber? Is Joe here? How 'bout those Phillies, Erie?
Madelyn Dunham passed on died knowing her grandson is a wonderful human being. She knew it, the world knows it. She had a great part to play in that.
Thank you Madelyn, for your wonderful gift to the world.
Divine Right of Kings (1600's); Divine Right of Corporations (2011)
I know this may sound somewhat rude, but can we at least leave the politics out of this one comment thread. I understand the GOP is doing bad things, but let's use this comment thread to remember a women who helped raise a remarkable man.
As sad as this is, just wait until his victory speech tomorrow.
There won't be a dry eye in the house.
Especially not mine.
It's gonna be sweet.
You are the example that Obama has taken to mold his domestic framework. You are the reason the U S A has an obvious choice tomorrow.
Rest In Peace.
Having lost my mother to cancer, I know how truly awful that disease is.
I am deeply saddened that she couldn't watch her beloved grandson (hopefully) make history. I knew she was quite ill and I kept hoping she would make it. One day away is that much more heartbreaking.
My thoughts go out to Barack, Michelle and their children.
I was fortunate enough to have a granny who helped me to understand the concept of critical thinking and the idea of thinking about thinking.
She taught me about history and challenged me to thinking about history and took plenty of time to vacation with me at historic sites throughout our Ohio.
Madelyn Dunham has had a profound effect upon history by being a good and honest grandmother.
I have a bit of trouble remembering the year in which my Granny died. Around 2000 at the age of ninety something.
Probably because she is still with me. As is her late-life atheism.
Iva Alice Mullaly 1905 - 2000ish
Name: Iva A. Mullaly
SSN: xxx-xx-xxxx
Last Residence: 44130 Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States of America
Born: 25 Jun 1906
Died: 26 Jan 1999
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (Before 1951 )
that is a tad creepy, don't you think?
[Deceased SSN info is a matter of public record-Sitemonitor]
My intent was to supply missing information. I am the one who x'ed out the SSN, even tho SM is correct, it is a matter of public record.
News flash: People die. Creepy is in the mind of the beholder.
It's sad that she wasn't able to hold on just one more day to see her grandson become president.
He was absolutely right to have suspended his campaign to visit her.
It would have been nice for her to have survived another two days and seen Obama win the election, but she still had the knowledge of a job well done, she raised an exceptional grandson up to be an outstanding man and politician/leader.
And she will be looking down upon Obama and smiling tomorrow.
Democrats/Liberals are like fine wine, the vintages get better over generations and the wine improve with age.
Republicans/fascists are like vinegar or chemical wine, degrades and is fit to only wash drains out with.
Every significant adult figure in Barack Obama's upbringing is gone.
For all those folks who share this dynamic, you have my profound sympathy, as you might be feeling this sense of loss a tad bit more.
Carry on.
Father ill and in hospital then released, spoke to him on the phone, then bang hes back in then died.
I didnt have a chance to get back to Britain to see him.
Time, money (lack of) and Visa all prevented me doing so.
It really sucks to be 1/4 of the world away from a dying dead family member, esp when miss the boat so to speak.
That's sad, she got pretty close and could be assured that her Grandson will be the next president, but it would have been nice for her to see it for herself.
My thoughts are with the Obama family, Hui O' Ikaika.
My sincerest condolences to Senator Obama and all of his family.
Words always feel so inadequate at times like this.
I'm sure "Toot" will get an above honorable mention early wednesday morning, a fantastically mournful, yet cheerful congratulatory going home ceremony and a rousing mention at the Inaugural Ceremony.
Dear God,
Please bless and protect the Obama family and this country. Help us face our fears and the coming tasks of rebuilding this country.
Amen
I am a christian and I approve this message.
Some stuff you can't make up!
Amen
beautifully said.
you guys are right about gods and all that,
thanks for sending that along ;>}
just in case....
as earthly turmoil and injustice makes me doubt the existence of a celestial site monitor I endorse this message. Well said.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
My deepest and sincerest sympathy with Barack's family at this time.
Hopefully, his grandmother's spirit will be like Obi Wan Kenobi's when he guided Luke Skywalker against the Evil Empire. She will always be by his side.
And I could not have said it any better.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Barack and his family.
NOBODY 2012
It was very odd.
he might win the election.
Some stuff you can't make up!
... and lord knows a half black person crying for his white grand mother would put Obama in his real context: a true blooded American.
Why would the M$M support that?
My thoughts and condolences are with Obama, I never knew any of my grand mothers... so I can only imagine what a bliss must have been to have one. Godspeed Mr Obama, tomorrow we will make Mrs. Dunham proud by making history with her grandson. I can't think of a better tribute to her life...
Well said, Mr Durden.
He is doing a beautiful job, but he is very tearful and choked up. I feel awful for him and his family. We owe it to Barack and Toot to win this for them.
But she must have been a remarkable woman to raise such a man. I regret the Obama family's loss.
At any age, cancer is a terrible way to go. I lost the love of my life to breast cancer.
I am so sorry for your loss, cancer takes our family and friends way too often these days. I just lost my dad on the 10th. I am happy to be voting for Obama tomorrow.
We lost my mother in law to lung cancer 8 years ago and there isn't a week that goes by that I don't miss her or wish I could share something that her grandkids have done.
I have also.
That said, today I reserved my father's birthday as a day off work. I will have breakfast with him and enjoy what time I get. He is in remission from prostate cancer, so I am grateful.
Some stuff you can't make up!
Bless you both.
at C&L share in the sorrow of Today and the Hope of Tomorrow. Today reminds us all that Victory is not without loss, and Hope is not without Fear. Tomorrow brings one of two things- and we all know what those things are. Mourn today and greet the rising sun with a conviction that with death comes Life. That Hope creates action. That from sorrow springs happiness that floods the world. I believe in the United States of America. I believe that it IS a Great Nation. She has lost her way- WE will guide her home.
[post deleted so as not to raise Dave's blood pressure].
I have lost both parents. I know of what I speak. Your opinion is noted. I wrote that to inspire us here to better times. If I have ofended anyone here, I humbly apologise. It has been a very conflicted day for Me. Perhaps,bob,You should read it again.
currently have cancer. I doubt you have offended anyone. No need for an apology.
I share in your pain. As for my blood pressure, I have hyper tension and take pills for that. Unfortunately,the last 8 years have made me drink to excess. I Hope to go on the wagon come Wednesday.
thank you very much.
Some stuff you can't make up!
is the Future. Time to get a job done that is long overdue.
and watch over her grandson.
The tools on talk radio said he was going to hawaii' to fix his birth certificate. How could they be so wrong????? (what asshats)
My condolences to the Obama family.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
Just goes to prove that Republicans have no hearts. Just cold stone and icewater for blood.
RNC complaint and the recall of Rush's digusting comments New
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 16:08 — Whaaa
What complaint and Rush's comments. Link please if you have it. I would like to send an email to my local radio station about it. Thanks
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
I can't imagine the weight of this for their whole family. Condolences are all I have to offer, and they seem so little. But I offer them and hope for their peace of mind in the coming weeks.
When a family member passes who had the special obligation of guiding, protecting, and loving you during your formative years with all their heart a part of them never dies. It is because you, your wife, and your children carry their love, memories, and legacy where ever life takes you....
My thoughts are with the Obama family and respective relatives.....
I lost my mom two years ago, my wife last year and my dad last mounth. My heart goes out to the Obama family.
This is all over the news.
Obama was criticised for his visits to Hawaii mercilessly (with one commentator suggesting he should have flown to Hawaii in, so to speak "baggage class" as opposed to the 767 of his campaign).
Many might very much reflect on the bullshit they were ready to swallow about the cartoon which the McCain/Caribou Barbie ID-TEN-T's wanted to use to lead them into a path of irreconcilable hatred.
I'm a computer techie and the only way I can describe this as is:
"Press del to enter BIOS setup"
Thank you Madelyn Dunham. And RIP.
NOBODY 2012
Obama On Grandmother And Campaign: "Bittersweet" [VIDEO]
Calling it a "bittersweet time" in his life, there were moments when one could detect the sadness in his voice and face. The crowd in Charlotte did its best to pull him along, screaming out words of support as he detailed Madelyn Dunham's life and drew from it threads that weaved into his candidacy and message. It was a poignant moment: the woman who helped raise him passing away just hours before the election.
Some stuff you can't make up!
here come the tears again.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Dunham! :(
Sitting here hearing about this has reminded me of my own Grandmother, whose birthday is a month from now, and who passed away from cancer in early '04. I can't even begin to imagine the loss Barack and his family must be feeling right now at what is already an emotional time.
My prayers go out to the entire family.
I've never seen change without a fire
Studs Terkel must of needed a hand...
My husband calmed me by saying Toot had been to the mountain top and had seen the promised land...and then went home. She knows he's our next president and didn't have to wait any longer. God bless Toot, God bless the Obama's and all who will miss her.
RIP Mrs. Dunham!! and thank you for giving us Barack Obama!!!!
...but the wingnuts over on the Fox board are spinning the conspiracy angle. I won't validate them by repeating their venom here, but if you want to see how much hate the extreme right holds for Obama check out foxnews.com and the posts associated with this story.
On another note, my deepest condolences to the Obama family on their loss. Draw comfort from the fact that your beloved "toot" will be watching the election results with Tim Russert in a much better place.
I have another reason to hate the local NPR radio station KPBS. I knew that she had died, but later, while on the road the newsreader uttered these words, "The death of Barrack Obama's grandmother". For just a millisecond I was scared shitless. Time slowed down when I heard "death of Barrack Obama", and as I said it sounded like the worst had happened for a split second. It was a fucking poor choice of words.
Barack Obama is a class act. It's been a L O N G time since we Americans have seen anyone of his cloth.
People who are hell-bent upon the Republican ticket should ask themselves what it is that constitutes a family value. IMHO, Mr. Obama fits the bill.
And all the toots out there that have been thrown under the bus by the GOP goons.
I truly believe that. I had hoped and prayed that she would live to see her grandson elected President of The United States. She will, but in a different way. Grandma is with you, Barack. And, so is your mom.
To see Mr. Obama speak in North Carolina broke my heart. Tears welled up my eyes as I saw the tears streaming down Mr. Obama's as he continued to speak. That moment told me all I needed to know about his connection to his grandmother. No matter how resolute he tried to be, he was hurting over such a tragic and profound loss.
I hope that he is comforted that there are many of us who are thinking of him in his hour of need. And, I pray that Mrs. Dunham watches over him tomorrow as he embarks on the biggest day of his life.
Thank you, Toot, for your guidance and care of Mr. Obama. Your love and tutledge are shown in the way he speaks and carries himself. What is even more, your teachings are apparent in his generosity, love and compassion for others. May you rest in peace that your son is so beloved for his good works and demeanor.
Obama's grandmother and mother had more character
and work ethic than Barbara Bush ever did. Their
offspring shows a world of difference. Obama for
the people and former Prez Bushie for the rich.
Barrack...I lost my mom to cancer,what an ugly way to die.I know you loved your gran, and for her to miss you kicking old man rivers ass must kill you...know that she is up there somewhere fist bumping the hell out of you.
[Deleted. Both of your comments have earned you a banning. Your suggestion is truly disgusting and totally without merit-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Both of your comments have earned you a banning-Sitemonitor]
To hang on for one more day. One lousy day and she could have lived to see it.
it's up to us now! We can do it.
First time posting...but I had to share.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x69zf7_mary-...
Obama/Biden 08!
Rest in Peace
thank the heavens that you have brought up such a wonderful grandson.
Please everybody, let their family grieve, cry, and share the pleasant memories of his grandmother...None of that smear, or worthless cutting down..This is certainly not the time to do this. God bless you all..
Now!!! Edward”qUE”Sanders
My Condolences President Obama. It allways Rains before The Sun comes out. I lost my Dad Yesterday, You lost your Grandmother (Both to Cancer). We are both on the Verge of Greatness. Keep Pushing its Your Day.
Ok everyone, its November 3rd It’s the eve before one of the biggest days in our nations History. This is also probably the biggest day in our last 8 years. We’ve been lied to, we’ve been divided, we have received information about whatever they (our current government) wanted is to know. We thought we was giving a president the permission to protect us (after 911), when in essence all we did was give permission to fight or to avenge a Vendetta. It started off in Afghanistan & moved to Iraq. Why?? Because Sadaam funded the attack. (C’mon men) It’s a shame we got so much false information, when so many lives were at stake. Farenheight gave many, if not all of us the extra dots we needed to connect in a picture we knew they existed in. Now!!! We’ve lost hope. We don’t trust (we cant trust, we’re constantly lied to) the democracy we supposedly live in is conveniently taken away from us as soon as we go against the grain so to speak (the 2004 debacle in Florida). It’s not Freedom of choice, when our minds are made up off Facts. But even worst when the facts are really only what we are allowed to know. We Really need to take a stand NOW!!! We have to say Know more. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, we are all in this together and we must Stop allowing these Color lines (Red/Blue) divide us. That’s all they do. Lets just keep in Mind; they wont give us Information (power) to hurt them. But they seem to be a little Uncomfortable now. Why?? Because the same oppressed race that in many Circles is looked down upon has made a Change. My Dad always said, (R.I.P. Poppa) we can’t hurt the man physically, the only way you can is by learning, and being smart. That hurts them more than anything. We have that ya’ll. We have a Harvard Graduate that truly understands. Despite his Law Degree the eloquence of his speech, he is spoken to us as a smooth talker. How do you condemn intelligence? Whatever it takes to divide our opinions. But that’s why we have to come together. We have to Break all Racial Barriers & Political Color lines (they don’t think we can / will) & Unite for a serious Change…
Please go to website Below & further educate ourselves. So we can make Conscious Decisions. Know more Division.
www.qUENATIONNOW.COM H (ometown) G (lory) “Division”
It has to be a great sadness to the family, so my prayers are with them. The fact is she helped raise an exceptional young man who may be a savior to this country. She is very proud of him I am sure, and now she is in a better place watching over him.
Madelyn Dunham is the kind of person we should all have been lucky enough for a parent, or a grandparent. She embodied all the characteristics of what should be considered greatness and so often is overlooked, because it's not flashy, because it's not 'newsworthy', because it's not running for political office or jumping in rivers to save drowning puppies, or bailing out of planes and surviving five years as a POW.
It's doing the right thing, day after day after day, and giving the best of yourself just because it is the right thing to do. To raise a child like Obama with the kind of love and hope and encouragement that convinced him he could run for President, and even win.
She's the biggest hero in this story. Bigger even than her grandson. And certainly bigger than someone who uses his 'hero' status as both an excuse for any failure on his part, and as a cudgel to bludgeon his opponents with. A quiet hero. Most of us didn't even know her name before her death.
Unlike Obama, I don't believe in an afterlife; I wish I did, because Madelyn Dunham certainly deserves her reward, she certainly deserved at least to live long enough to see the fruits of her labours in the White House. On the other hand, maybe that's not what it's about anyway - maybe it's about ordinary people taking just one small step closer to creating heaven on earth someday. We don't need angels in heaven, they're useless there. We need more angels on earth, and one of those was Madelyn Dunham.
Although I have always favored a true "Peace" candidate, with Liberal and Progressive credentials (Dennis Kucinich being one such) - I have become rather impressed with BO , and in particular, the story of his life.
Of the many fascinating stories that shape his background- I find the story of his Mother absolutely amazing. For someone from Kentucky (not a Liberal bastion by any stretch of the imagination)- for her to grow up as an inclusive, tolerant, incredibly broad-minded, and indeed, for her to have lived the life of a true humanist and internationalist, I believe, speaks well for her son.
Of course, if BO's Mother was extraordinary, no doubt, the same can be said of her parents. In a country beset with prejudice, provincialism, racism and bigotry- they obviously believed in a multicultural world with a large, inclusive tent for all people. And, by the examples of their lives- these noble individuals actually "walked the walk."
Thank you, Mrs. Dunham- for raising humanity and human ideals to a much higher plane- and nurturing a young man who, one can hope- will help the U.S. strive to become a tolerant, inclusive, PEACE-LOVING and meek nation that extends friendship and respect to the entire planet, and fulfills in the truest sense the words inscribed on the Liberty pedestal.
May your example inspire many in this (so-far) uncertain century.
RIP Ms Dunham. If anyone can, you can.
And, as I prefer to do at times like these, let us celebrate your life rather than mourn your passing. You've given us a great gift. I do wish, however, that you could have seen one more fruit of you labor. The first First Grandmother of the first AA President. But to really toss aside racism, shouldn't we really just consider him as just another presidential candidate with great potential? I'm a half-breed, but I don't like to add a race based qualifier to my nationality.
I think that Obama's story DOES embody the American Dream. And his Grandmother was instrumental in enabling it. I think that the fact that he has gotten this far is a testament to him and his family, and to a maturation of the people of the US. *I* love the fact that the people can embrace a person with such a multiracial background. It can lead to a broader more inclusive world view. And, I've seen that most immigrants and early generation family members love and respect the TRUE America: Respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, equality and opportunity. They *know* what the alternatives are like. This is not to say that only these people respect the true America, only to emphasize that we do.
But Palin's so-called "real" Americans don't seem to fit that definition. They support lies, smears, add hominem attacks (and everyone know ad hominem attacks are the last resort of the asshole.) In fact, I'm wondering how long it'll take Hannity or Coulter to spew something like this:
[enter Fox Noise Pundit mode]
An unnamed source today reported Obama euthanized his grandmother to gain sympathy votes.
[end mode]
This is not intended to be insulting to anyone except those who have sunk so low in this "campaign" as to bring junk like this to mind.
I'm embarrassed that this could even enter my mind.
Now, Mr Obama and the new Dem majority: don't fuck it up. You are mostly still politicians. Try to become Statesman and help restore the non-upper classes. If you can prove that you stand for us then you can possibly get up to 95% of the vote. Show us what it's like to vote in our best interests.
Crack down on Dem crimes, don't go easy. Crack down on waste and those who enable it. It is possible, but I'm not holding my breath.
Hopefully, Bush/McCain/Palin/Diebold/Cagers/Right-wing-precinct-terrorists won't give them another 51/49 "victory." If that doesn't work (again), I really hope there won't be a "pre-inaguration" surprise.
EPN
Confession leads to sin the same way that birth control leads to promiscuity.
Does anybody know what type of cancer Toot had? I can't find it anywhere. It's easy to see that his mother died of ovarian cancer, but why the secrecy on his grandmother's cancer? I suspect it was lung cancer. I certainly hope he is not doing her the injustice of hiding that (insinuating she should by shamed by her disease.) (What's even worse is thinking she had to live the end of her life in shame. Afterall, who has a cancer, but doesn't talk about what type it is?)
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