In the midst of the biggest week of his life, Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has lost one of his biggest supporters. His grandmother, Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham (pictured above with Barack and his grandfather Stanley Dunham, who passed away in 1992), passed away today after a bout with cancer. She was 86 years young.

The family has already released this statement to CNN:

"She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility," their statement said.

"She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure."

Obama and Soetoro-Ng asked that donations be made for the search for a cure for cancer in lieu of flowers. A small private ceremony will be held "at a later date."

Dunham passed away peacefully at her home shortly before midnight Sunday night (5 a.m. ET), campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told CNN. She said Obama learned of her death around 8 a.m.

The Democratic presidential candidate left the campaign trail on October 23 and flew to Honolulu, Hawaii, to spend the day with Dunham, whose health deteriorated after she suffered a broken hip.

Read the entire story at cnn.com

Wow. As if the pressure from this campaign hasn't been enough. Our condolences go out to the Obama family and friends. And to Barack, I know she'll be watching down from heaven as you continue to make history with each new day. May she rest in peace.