Obama Attends Memorial for His Grandmother, 'Toot'

[RamboLiberal]

Source: ABC News

President-elect Barack Obama gathered with family and friends on Tuesday for a private memorial service for the beloved grandmother who helped raise him.

Madelyn Payne Dunham, known to her friends as "Toot", died Nov. 2, two days before Obama won election to become the nation's first African-American president. She was 86.

Obama did not speak to reporters at the small home that had been converted into the First Unitarian Church in the neighborhood of Nuuanu. Aides said Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and her husband, Konrad Ng, also were present.

Following the ceremony, Obama drove to cliffs east of Hononulu. He and about 20 members of his family climbed over a stone wall and down onto rocky ledges to scatter Dunham's ashes at Lanai Lookout.

Obama earlier this year left flowers at the same cliffs, in memory of his mother.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=6520841

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I so wish she could've lived to see her grandson take the oath to be president. I hope there is a heaven, she has to be so proud of Barack! Glad she lived long enough to vote for him.

[babylonsister]

1. I so hope this was private for the Obamas.

I'm very glad he got to do this with his family and loved ones gathered. RIP, Toot. And thank you for raising a very fine grandson.

[lenegal]

13. She raised an astounding young man. RIP Ms. Dunham.

A man who would become President. Hope she is smiling down from Heaven.

[Triana]

2. R.I.P. Mrs. Dunham. And THANK YOU for the gift of having helped raise

a wonderful grandson.

[Wabbajack_]

3. She died just before he won, very sad

She must have been so proud.

[DogPoundPup]

4. Here's the story and a pic of Obama's sister w/Michelle leaving the ceremony

snip~
The demands of the presidential campaign meant Obama was unable to fly to Hawaii for her funeral. But on Tuesday, he finally bade her farewell at a memorial service attended by friends and family, including his wife Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, and half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081224/ts_nm/us_obama_grandmother

[ecstatic]

5. I could have sworn she died one day before Election Day

Either way, RIP Mrs. Dunham. You raised such a magnificent grandson!

[awoke_in_2003]

19. She did...

and Obama was unable to attend the funeral.

[Hekate]

6. KnR. Rest sweetly, Mrs. Dunham, and thank you for your gift to us. nt

[XemaSab]

7. So sad she didn't live to see him elected

:cry:

[FrenchieCat]

8. She voted for him, and I think

she knew he would win.

I know I did.

[Botany]

9. All they try to do is just do the right thing.

From Pound Pup's link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081224/ts_nm/us_obama_gran...


At an election rally on November 3, the day after her death and the day before his election as president,
Obama gave his grandmother a poignant epitaph.

"She was one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America," he said.

"They're not famous. Their names are not in the newspapers, but each and every day they work hard. They
aren't seeking the limelight. All they try to do is just do the right thing."

[bdamomma]

10. She is proudly looking down on her grandson.

[meow2u3]

16. Poor choice of words, alyce

Toot is proudly watching over her beloved grandson.

[bdamomma]

21. oops I stand corrected.

[The Wizard]

11. How long will it take for the right wing hate machine

to criticize him for taking a vacation in a time of monumental crisis? They were remarkably silent while Bush was clearing brush and picking his nose after the August 6, 2001, Presidential Daily Briefing that said bin Laden determined to strike within the U.S.
Note to the hate mongers: He's not in office yet.

[lenegal]

14. They are at it already.

The hateful blackhearted souls that they are.

They have been salivating over the Blago Scandal, denying reports that the Obama team is clean........And they are still "looking for his birth certificate."

One should have pity for the wingnuts. They are totally unhinged.

[awoke_in_2003]

20. I tune in to hate wing radio...

every once in a while. Got to know where the enemy stands. Rusty Humphries had the governor of Hawaii on, and she confirmed the validity of the birth certificate. One idiot down, 20 more (on the radio, at least) to go.

[lonestarnot]

12. I am very close to certain that she knew when she cast her vote that she was voting for what would

be the President of the United States, and I didn't say next. Peace in your heart President ELECT Obama, reverent peace to you and your family.

[AtomicKitten]

15. It is tragic she didn't live long enough to see Barack become president.

Times like this make one hopeful of a hereafter to be confident she knows.

[BeyondGeography]

17. That woman was obviously a force...What a life

:patriot:

[firedupdem]

18. Rest In Peace Toot...

What a fine Grandson you raised. n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

22. Thank you, RamboLiberal. K&R