Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama’s mother and a pillar of the Obama family who moved into the White House and provided stability and care for the family’s two young daughters during a tumultuous time in Washington, died Friday . She was 86 years old.
His death was announced in a statement from Mrs. Obama, former President Barack Obama and other family members. The statement does not give a cause or specify where she died.
Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mrs. Robinson was known as a loving, tough-minded matriarch who was never fully comfortable with the trappings of the White House, but who helped care for the Obama daughters , Sasha and Malia, while their parents were traveling.
“Just show me how to run the washing machine and you’ll be fine,” she would say, the Obamas said in their Friday statement.
A full obituary will follow.