Saying goodbye to Mrs. Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama.

The woman who made her mark as grandma-in-chief when President Barack Obama was elected 44th president of the United States, passed Friday.

The woman who was considered the backbone of the Obama household will be remembered as a family-oriented, kind person, who remained poised as she assumed the responsibility of helping raise her two beautiful granddaughters in an environment, and in a world, far from what she ever imagined.

Mrs. Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, 

waves to reporters during Easter egg hunt at the White House. (photo CD Brown)

I recall seeing her that day in March during Women's History Month at the Smithsonian when her daughter's Inaugural gown, like all the other first lady inaugural gowns, was being cemented in Smithsonian history. She was smiling as she walked alone prompting me to ask, "is there no security, no secret service, for the first grandmother?"

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I am also reminded of the time when she, and her granddaughter Sasha, walked in front of me and other White House reporters along the walkway of the South Lawn during a White House Easter egg hunt event.

She waved, and looked in my direction when I said, “Hi Mrs. Robinson!”

Mrs. Robinson, a young Sasha, and First Lady Michelle Obama. 

Photo/CD Brown.

I wanted her to know that we appreciated and were as fond of her as we were of her other family members. (Yes we, like millions of other Americans, are fond of the Obama family.)

Naturally, the family took to X/Twitter to inform the nation that their matriarch had transitioned. 

Former president Barack Obama tweeted, “There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example.”

His forever first lady, tweeting a link to a statement on the passing of her beloved, and revered mom, sharing a few Marian Robinson-ism.

I, particularly, love this one:

“Don’t worry about whether anybody else likes you. Come home. We’ll always like you here.”

Sound words, and advice, from a strong family unit. 

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Reverend Al Sharpton/NAN offered this kind reflection and condolence, as did other politicians and friends.

President Biden also remarked on Mrs. Robinson’s passing writing, today:

“We knew Mrs. Marian Robinson as a devoted mother and grandmother with a fierce and unconditional love of her family. With the blessing of friendship, we felt that love ourselves – with every quiet smile or warm embrace she shared with us.

She believed, like we do, that family is the beginning, middle and end.  She moved into the White House to be there for her family when they needed her the most, and in so doing, she served her country right alongside them. Her life is a reminder that we are a great nation because we are a good people.

The entire Biden family sends its deepest love to Michelle, Craig, Barack, Kelly, and the six irrepressible grandchildren whom she helped to raise and so loved, and in whom her kind and gentle spirit lives on. 

May she rest in peace with her beloved Fraser. May God bless Mrs. Marian Robinson.”

Indeed, may God bless Mrs. Marian Robinson, and the family who so love her dearly.

Mrs. Robinson was 86.

Updated 6/3/24