BREAKING NEWS

Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has passed away in Florida.

The news comes at a horrible time as Obama is poised to become the first African American President on Tuesday.

The Democratic nominee has constantly shown his love and respect for Dunham. She was 86 years old and suffering from cancer. Obama says his grandmother helped raise him, and I'm sure that makes this mourning much harder.

In a statement, Obama and his sister said they will plan a small service at a later date as their grandmother requested. They also asked that in lieu of flowers, mourners should make a donation to help find a cure for cancer.

Senator Obama took some time off the campaign trail a few weeks ago to take a trip to Hawaii and visit with his grandmother.