Marianne Robinson, mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, passed away on Friday at the age of 86.
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Former President Barack Obama and Michelle announced the news through social media. “She passed away peacefully this morning and right now, none of us are sure how we will live without her,” her family said in a statement.
“My mom, Marian Robinson, has been my rock, always there to help me with anything I need. She was a constant and strong support to our entire family, and we are heartbroken to announce that she passed away today. “We wanted to offer some reflections on her incredible life.” the grieving daughter wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The former First Family’s statement on Medium recalled the life, accomplishments, and enduring wisdom of the beloved White House fixture. Long before she became President Obama’s mother-in-law, Robinson was born and raised with her six siblings on the segregated South Side of Chicago. She fell in love with and married Fraser Robinson.
The couple raised their children, Craig and Michelle, in a small apartment on Chicago’s South Shore. Robinson worked as a secretary for many years. However, she studied pedagogy and became the children’s first teacher, ensuring that they learned to read from an early age.
She encouraged her children to achieve their wildest dreams: Craig’s career as a basketball coach, Michelle’s aspirations to become an Ivy League lawyer, and her son-in-law’s grand political ambitions.
“As our family walked down a path no one could have predicted, every step of the way she was our refuge from the storm and kept our feet on solid ground. “He was there on election night 2008, holding Barack’s hand when news broke that he would soon be carrying the weight of the world,” the statement said.
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After the 2008 election, Robinson became the “rock” of the new First Family. She uprooted her own life to move into the White House with her support system. Besides meeting the Pope, she cared more about chastising her grandchildren and befriending her staff than a parade of VIPs. Since then she has returned home to her friends and family in Chicago.
The touching tributes continued, signed by Michelle, Craig, Barack, Kelly, Avery, Leslie, Malia, Sasha, Austin and Aaron.
“As a mother, she was a calm, non-judgmental witness to our triumphs and failures and our strong support. She was always, always there, welcoming us home with deep and abiding love, no matter how far we had traveled.
To Barack and Kelly, she was the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for. We would sometimes tease her that she should stop being so “pushy” on her because we always wanted to see more of her, not less of her.
As a grandmother, I watched my grandchildren grow and develop at every stage of their lives from infancy to adulthood, inspiring them, listening to them, telling them I was proud of them, and making them feel loved. It is noteworthy in every way.
And as a sister, aunt, cousin, neighbor, and friend to many, she was loved beyond words by countless others whose lives were improved by her presence.
We will all miss her greatly and wish she were here to give us some perspective and mend our heavy hearts with laughter and wisdom.
But we see that she is back in the embrace of her beloved Frasier, that she has pulled up the TV tray next to his armchair, and that they are clinking highball glasses while she tells him stories about this wilderness. I find comfort in understanding. , beautiful ride. She missed him so much.
“The whole world is full of little Craig and little Michelle.” She would often remind us, emphasizing the beauty and potential of every child.
As always, she was right. Although she emphatically denies it, the fact is that there was and always will be one Marianne Robinson. Even in her grief, we are strengthened by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of our days trying to follow her example.”
Our condolences to the family and loved ones of Marian Lois Shields Robinson.
