Madelyn Dunham facts for kids

Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham (born October 26, 1922 – died November 2, 2008) was the grandmother of Barack Obama. He later became the 44th president of the United States. Madelyn and her husband, Stanley Armour Dunham, raised Barack Obama from when he was ten years old. They lived in their apartment in Honolulu, Hawaii. She passed away just two days before her grandson was elected president.

Early Life and Family

Madelyn Lee Payne was born on October 26, 1922, in Peru, Kansas. She was the oldest of four children. Her parents were Rolla Charles Payne and Leona Belle Payne. Barack Obama wrote in his book, Dreams From My Father, that his great-grandparents were strict.

When Madelyn was three, her family moved to Augusta, Kansas. She was a very good student at Augusta High School. She graduated in 1940. Even though her upbringing was strict, she enjoyed going to Wichita, Kansas. There, she would listen to big band music. In Wichita, she met Stanley Armour Dunham. They got married on May 5, 1940, the same night as Madelyn's senior prom.

Adult Life and Career

World War II Service

During World War II, Madelyn Dunham worked hard. She had a night job on a Boeing B-29 airplane assembly line in Wichita. Her husband, Stanley Dunham, joined the Army. Madelyn's brother, Charlie Payne, was a soldier. His group helped free people from the Nazi concentration camp at Ohrdruf. Barack Obama has mentioned this in his speeches. On November 29, 1942, Madelyn gave birth to her only child. It was a daughter named Stanley Ann Dunham, born in Wichita.

Life After the War

After the war, Madelyn and Stanley Dunham both worked full-time. Their family moved many times. They lived in places like Berkeley, California, Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Seattle, Washington. They finally settled in Mercer Island, Washington. Their daughter, Ann Dunham, graduated from high school there.

In Seattle, Madelyn Dunham became a vice-president at a local bank. This was a big achievement for a woman at that time. Stanley Dunham worked at a furniture store. While living in Washington, Madelyn also took classes at the University of Washington.

Moving to Hawaii

Later, the Dunhams moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. Madelyn started working at the Bank of Hawaii in 1960. By 1970, she was promoted to be one of the bank's first female vice presidents. This was a very important role.

Their daughter, Ann Dunham, went to the University of Hawaii. In 1960, she met Barack Obama Sr., a student from Kenya. In 1961, Ann and Barack Obama Sr. had a son, Barack Obama. Ann and Barack Obama Sr. later divorced. Ann then married Lolo Soetoro from Indonesia.

Madelyn and Stanley Dunham played a huge part in raising their grandson, Barack Obama. When he was ten, he moved in with them in Hawaii. This allowed him to attend school there. He went to the Punahou School, which was a very good school. His grandparents helped him get scholarships to pay for it. Barack Obama stayed with his grandparents even when his mother returned to Indonesia for her studies.

Obama and his half-sister, Maya Soetoro, called Madelyn "Toot." This was short for "tutu," the Hawaiian word for grandmother. In his book, Obama described his grandmother as "quiet yet firm." He also called her "a trailblazer," meaning someone who led the way. Her co-workers remembered her as a "tough boss" who expected hard work. But they also said she was kind to those who tried their best. She retired from the Bank of Hawaii in 1986.

Obama once said that his grandmother was "tough as nails." He learned a lot of his practical and hardworking nature from her. He remembered her coming home from work. She would change from her business clothes into a comfortable dress.

Later Years and Legacy

Madelyn Dunham cared for her daughter, Ann, in Hawaii. Ann passed away in 1995 at the age of 52.

Madelyn Dunham continued to live in the same high-rise apartment. It was where she had raised her grandson, Barack Obama. She loved playing bridge. She also enjoyed listening to audiobooks and watching her grandson on TV. In her later years, she had some health issues. She had surgeries for her eyes and her hip.

2008 Presidential Campaign

Madelyn Dunham was not often seen during the 2008 presidential campaign. In March 2008, she said she was not giving interviews because of her health.

In April 2008, Madelyn Dunham appeared briefly in a campaign ad for her grandson. She said that Obama had "a lot of depth, and a broadness of view."

On October 20, 2008, Obama announced he would pause his campaign. He wanted to spend time with his grandmother. Her health had become very serious. In an interview, Obama said, "She has really been the rock of the family." He added that any strength or discipline he had came from her.

Her Passing

Madelyn Dunham passed away peacefully on November 2, 2008. She had been battling cancer in Hawaii. Obama and his sister, Maya Soetoro, released a statement. They said, "She was the cornerstone of our family." They called her a woman of "extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility."

At a rally, Obama spoke about her. He said, "She was one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America." He added that such heroes work hard every day and do the right thing. On December 23, 2008, after a private service, Obama and his sister scattered her ashes in the ocean. They chose the same spot where they had scattered their mother's ashes in 1995.