It is so very, very sad that Obama's grandmother came didn't quite make it to seeing him elected President:

Obama’s Grandmother Dies on Eve of Election

Susan Davis reports on the presidential race.

Barack Obama’s maternal grandmother died Monday, one day before her grandson has a chance to become the first African American president.

Obama recently suspended his presidential campaign to return to his native Hawaii for a farewell visit to Madelyn Dunham, his grandmother who helped raise him. Local news reports said Obama’s Hawaii headquarters have been flooded with get-well cards for Dunham.

Below is the statement released this afternoon from Obama and his half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng:

It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was 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. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and 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.

An article below about her, which ends with Obama's tribute:

“She was one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America,” Mr. Obama 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. In this crowd there are a lot of quiet heroes like that.”

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November 4, 2008

On Eve of Election, Obama Pays Tribute to His Grandmother, Who Died in Hawaii

By JEFF ZELENY

www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/us/politics/04grandmother.html

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Madelyn Dunham, who watched from afar as her only grandson rapidly ascended the ranks of American politics to the brink of the presidency, did not live to see whether he was elected.

Mrs. Dunham, 86, Senator Barack Obama’s grandmother, died late Sunday in Hawaii after battling cancer, which Mr. Obama announced upon arriving here on Monday for a campaign stop on the eve of Election Day.

“She has gone home,” said Mr. Obama, his voice tinged with emotion as he briefly spoke of her death at a campaign rally here. “She died peacefully in her sleep with my sister at her side, so there’s great joy instead of tears.”