Obama mourns grandmother on election eve

The presidential campaign has drawn to a bittersweet close for Democratic candidate Barack Obama. His beloved grandmother, a central figure in his life, has died.

An emotional Obama paid tribute to the late Madelyn Dunham at a rally in North Carolina.

“She was one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America, who are not famous, their names are not in the newspapers, but each and every day they work hard and look after their families,” he told supporters.

Madelyn Dunham, 86, died peacefully at her home in Honolulu after a battle with cancer. Obama has often referred to her as the rock of his family and someone who shaped his values. She helped raise him from the age of 10 while his mother was working in Indonesia. And, just over a week ago, Obama made a 22-hour trip to Hawaii to say goodbye to her, breaking away from his campaign.

Madelyn Dunham had followed her grandson’s presidential bid with great interest. And, if the pollsters are to be believed, the White House is now within Barack Obama’s reach.

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