Barack Obama says that his grandmother
has died.

The Democratic presidential candidate announced the news in a
joint statement with his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng. He said his
grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, had died peacefully after a battle
with cancer.

He said: "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."

The candidate learned of her death Monday morning while he was
campaigning in Jacksonville, Fla. He planned to go ahead with
campaign appearances.

Late last month, Obama took a break from campaigning and flew to
Hawaii to be with the 86-year-old Dunham, who helped raise him.

Obama credits his grandmother with forming him and partially
raising him in Hawaii while his mother went to Indonesia to live.

Republican John McCain has issued condolences to his opponent.