DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL candidate Barack Obama's grandmother died of cancer, he said in a statement last night, a little more than a week after he interrupted the White House campaign to say goodbye to her in Hawaii.
"It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer," Mr 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."
Ms Dunham (86) helped raise Mr Obama from the age of 10 while his mother was working in Indonesia. Mr Obama took a 22-hour trip to Hawaii to visit her on October 23rd and 24th.
Mr Obama said his grandmother had been flooded with cards, flowers and well-wishes and he regularly thanked crowds at his campaign rallies for their prayers.
"Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes and prayers during this difficult time," the statement said.
"Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date," the statement said.
- (Reuters)