Affectionately called the nations grandmother, Marian Robinson passed away on Friday back home in Chicago. She was 86 years old.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama announced the sad news, but didn’t give a cause of death.

Mrs. Robinson’s children often described her as a woman who spoke her mind and cherished her privacy. She sought to maintain those traits after agreeing to move with the Obama’s into the White House.

Our prayers go out to the former First Lady and her family during their time of bereavement.