Obama's Grandmother Loses Battle With Cancer

Madelyn Dunham passes away at 86 on eve of historic election

By M. Morris, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2008 3:52 PM CST

(Newser) – On the eve of Election Day, Barack Obama's maternal grandmother died today in Honolulu after a long struggle with cancer. Madelyn Dunham, who helped raise Obama, had been in hospice care, the Chicago Tribune reports. The senator and his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng released a statement calling their 86-year-old grandmother "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," the statement continued. "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."

Barack Obama in 1979 during his high school graduation in Hawaii with his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham and Stanley Armour Dunham. (AP Photo/Obama Presidential Campaign)

This undated photo released by Obama for America shows Barack Obama with his grandparents, Stanley Armour Dunham and Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham in New York City. (AP Photo/Obama for America)

This undated photo provided by the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shows his maternal grandparents Stanley and Madelyn Dunham in Cambrige, Mass., during World War II. (AP Photo/Obama Presidential Campaign)

A pupil walks past Senator Obama Kogelo Secondary School in Kogelo, Kenya, Nov. 3, 2008. The school is named after the Democratic presidential candidate, whose step-grandmother lives in the village. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

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Obama's Grandmother Loses Battle With Cancer

Madelyn Dunham passes away at 86 on eve of historic election

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Democrats Lead the Way in Voter Registration

Obama's 2008 effort gives party an edge in 2010 Senate races

Obama's Lobbyist Ban Haunting Him

He's losing good people for hard-to-fill administration spots

Nate Silver: Win the Cities, Win America

Fast-growing urban demographic handed Obama election victory

Finally: Mac Wins Missouri

Last state to be called leaves tally at Obama 365, McCain 173

How Obama Won

Campaign strategists decided early on to own the economy and to define the Democrat as a change agent.

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Obama's Grandmother Loses Battle With Cancer

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Obama 2008 • Maya Soetoro-Ng • Election 2008 • Madelyn Dunham

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Democrats Lead the Way in Voter Registration

Obama's 2008 effort gives party an edge in 2010 Senate races

Obama's Lobbyist Ban Haunting Him

He's losing good people for hard-to-fill administration spots

Nate Silver: Win the Cities, Win America

Fast-growing urban demographic handed Obama election victory

Finally: Mac Wins Missouri

Last state to be called leaves tally at Obama 365, McCain 173

How Obama Won

Campaign strategists decided early on to own the economy and to define the Democrat as a change agent.

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Newser By Users

Community

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