Jean Biden, mother of Joe, dead at 92

Vice-President Joe Biden’s mother has died at the age of 92 after falling ill.

Catherine “Jean” Biden passed away surrounded by her family in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden spoke of his mother’s influence on him during a 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention:

“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.’ When I wasn’t as well-dressed as the other kids she would 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!'”

The White House released a statement to announce her passing:

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.

Biden’s father Joseph Biden Sr. died in 2002 at the age of 86.