Jean Biden stands with her son, Vice President Joe Biden, next to President Obama and his mother-in-law, Marian Anderson, on election night in 2008. (PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/File)
(CNN) – Vice President Joe Biden on Friday announced the death of his mother, Catherine Eugenia "Jean" Finnegan Biden. She was 92.
Biden said his mother died Friday at the family's home in Wilmington, Delaware, surrounded by loved ones.
"At 92, she was the center of our family and taught all of her children that family is to be treasured, loyalty is paramount and faith will guide you through the tough times. She believed in us, and because of that, we believed in ourselves," Biden said in a statement.
The vice president's father, Joseph Robinette Biden Sr., who was married to Jean Biden for 61 years, died in 2002.
(Vice President Biden's statement, as released by the White House, after the jump)
In his acceptance speech in August 2008 for the Democratic vice presidential nomination, Biden said of his mother: "She believes that bravery lives in every heart, and her expectation is that it will be summoned. Failure at some point in your life is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable."
"As a child, I stuttered, and she lovingly would look at me and tell me, 'Joey, it's because you're so bright you can't get the thoughts out quickly enough,'" he said. "When I was not as well-dressed as the other kids, she'd look at me and say, 'Joey, oh, you're so handsome, honey, you're so handsome.'
"And when I got knocked down by guys bigger than me - and this is the God's truth - she sent me back out and said, 'Bloody their nose so you can walk down the street the next day.' And that's what I did."
In addition to the vice president, her eldest son, Jean Biden is survived by sons James Biden of Pennsylvania and Francis Biden of Florida, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Vice President
For Immediate Release
January 8, 2010
Statement from Vice President Joe Biden
“My mother, Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden, passed away peacefully today at our home in Wilmington, Delaware, surrounded by her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and many loved ones. At 92, she was the center of our family and taught all of her children that family is to be treasured, loyalty is paramount and faith will guide you through the tough times. She believed in us, and because of that, we believed in ourselves. Together with my father, her husband of 61 years who passed away in 2002, we learned the dignity of hard work and that you are defined by your sense of honor. Her strength, which was immeasurable, will live on in all of us.”
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From CNN Politics
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Dear. Mr. Vice President Biden and Mrs. Biden, we want to express our prayers, and sympathy to you and your family. God bless your mother.
Martino
My condolences Mr.Vice President on your loss. Sorry for your loss as well, Mary @ 4:42pm. Either the right-wingers are staying away from this, or there are still a few decent ones left that posted someting sincere. I'd like to believe the latter... Peace to all, Left, Right and Center.
My prayers are with Vice President Biden and his family
My heartfelt condolences to Vice President Biden and his family.
God Bless you all.
Irish eyes are smilin'
May you rest in peace Momma Biden. You did us proud by raising an outstanding boy, man, father, son, senator and Vice President. America loves you.
My heart goes out to you Mr. Biden. My family and I are very sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathies.
May the Angels lead her into Paradise; may the Martyrs come to welcome her on her way, and lead her into the Holy City, Jerusalem; may choirs of Angels welcome her, and with Lazarus, who once was poor, may she have everlasting rest. Amen.
A Prayer of Father Bede Jarrett
We give her back to thee, dear Lord,
who gavest her to us;
Yet as thou dost not lose er in giving,
so we have not lost her by her return.
Not as the world giveth, givest thou, O Lover of Souls.
What thou gavest, thou takest not away,
For what is thine is ours also if we are thine.
And Life is eternal
and Love is immortal,
and death is only an horizon,
and an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further;
Cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly;
Draw us closer to thyself
so that we may know ourselves
to be nearer to our loved ones who are with thee.
And while thou dost prepare a place for us,
prepare us also for that happy place,
that where thou art we may be also for evermore. Amen.
My condolences to Joe Biden and Family.
My condolences to the Vice President and his family. During the campaign I got a real kick out of her humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Condolences to the Biden family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Biden family
My deepest sympathies to the Biden Family.. what an adorable woman . I am sure the love of Jesus will help you all.. May you enjoy your wonderful memories..We will pray for you..
My heartfelt condolences to the Biden family for their loss.
Mrs Biden looked so beautiful in that bright red dress. What a wonderful memory of a wonderful woman.
Condolences to the Bidens
Heartfelt condolences to our VP Biden and family. A mother's love and spirit remains in her child's heart for eternity.
God bless you and your family Mr. Vice-President. And may the wind be at you mum's back as she journeys to Him.
Prayers to you and yours, Mary @ 4:41 p.m. I hope you find comfort in the wonderful memories of you Dad.
Sorry to hear about your loss Mr. Biden. Glad at least she was able to live to see her son make it to V.P.
One wonders what the comments would be here if someone on the other side of the political aisle suffered the same sad loss. Especially since the elevation of Obama and Biden.
I'm really sorry to hear about the Biden familiy's loss. Folks we only get one mom and life is too short for strained relationships!
Glad she was here to see the last couple years she is not gone she is just away and will live in the hearts of all that knew her and for the ones that seen her during the campaign ?election.
Joe we all know she did a great job all those years / we send love to you and your family.
May the Lord keep her in his merciful arms and guide her to a restful sleep.
My deepest sympathy Mr. Vice President to you and your family. Your mother was a wonderful women, and her spirit will live forever. May God bring you comfort at this time of sorrow.
Mr Bidden is a class act . He has always been a regular Joe and a friend to the average man. Codolences to you and your family.