Akron restaurant owner dies hours after meeting Obama

[UrbScotty]

Source: Akron Beacon-Journal

The owner of an Akron restaurant where President Barack Obama stopped for breakfast this morning died, apparently of a heart attack, shortly after meeting him.

Josephine “Ann” Harris, 70, of Copley Township, was taken by ambulance to Akron General Medical Center after complaining of fatigue and a tingling feeling. She was pronounced dead at 11:18 a.m., according to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Harris, just a few hours before, had the honor of meeting — and hugging — Obama when he stopped at her family’s restaurant, Ann’s Place, on South Hawkins Avenue for breakfast. This was Obama’s first stop on the second day of a bus tour through Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“I’m sure this was her highlight,” said Frankie Adkins, Harris’ sister, who lives in Tulsa, Okla., and heard about her sister’s sudden death from family members. “She loved Obama.”

Read more: http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/akron-restaurant-owner-dies-hours-after-meeting-obama-1.318594

[Wait Wut]

1. That's just so sad.

I'm glad she got a hug, first. Rest easy, sweet lady.

[LiberalLoner]

9. +1

[Warpy]

11. Dunno, that hug and the honor of meeting a president she liked

quite probably allowed her to die pretty happy.

And how many of us will be allowed that?

I'm glad she got that hug and I hope her passing was easy.

[KurtNYC]

30. I just imagine her pride and happiness -- the President of the US eats in HER restaurant

She and her whole family -- 4 generations -- get to meet and cook for him. HER restaurant.

I hope the last day of my life is even half as good as that.

[kimbutgar]

2. How sad my condolences to her family

If I ever had a chance to meet the President I might die of the excitement of meeting the President of the US.

[riverbendviewgal]

3. sad news but she died on a happy day for her

Her sister said she loved Obama. May she rest in peace

[progressivebydesign]

4. That's so tragic. She had a wish fulfilled before she died.. how bittersweet.

Stress, even good stress, can be dangerous. RIP. It seems like a lovely family.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. That's terrible.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

6. It's that evil Muslim Mojo, I tell ya!!!

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(seriously, my sympathies to the family)

[Tarheel_Dem]

7. I hope she got one of his trademark hugs. RIP Mrs. Harris.

[Tx4obama]

8. Very sad.

[dmr]

10. Peace to you, Ms. Harris.

My condolences to your family & friends.

[liberal N proud]

12. That is saddening!

[Taverner]

13. Wondering when the wingnuts will start up conspiracy theories...

They seem to love the smell of blood

[RedStateLiberal]

15. And they'll believe anything that reinforces their irrational hatred

I recently had a wingnut FB friend (my cousin) try to tell me that Obama is "evil" that he calls anyone who disagrees with him a "racist" and went on to call me a "baby killer." Such delusions are truly despicable but they happily believe it all since they hate our president for some reason... Gee, I wonder what that reason is....

[DCKit]

34. Now that's odd.

I got them to leave me along by saying "racist" every time they sent me anything about Obama. I haven't heard a peep from them for months.

I guess it's whatever works for us, individually.

[awoke_in_2003]

20. This is the work...

of Obamacare's death panel

just in case

[craigmatic]

14. That sucks. We need more with her passion.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

16. How very sad

RIP Ms Harris and my deepest, sincerest and most heartfelt condolences, thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to your family.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Oh how sad.

Last edited Fri Jul 6, 2012, 06:16 PM - Edit history (1)

How long till our far right wingnuts blame this death on Obama?

[mailman82]

18. The Wing nuts In The Cleveland-Akron area

have been posting some really disgusting stuff! On all the local TV websites! God I hate these ignorant people!

[progressivebydesign]

31. Just read some of their vile comments..

.. and I responded with dignity. The fallacy that they perpetuate is that when Cheney had has surgery that the "leftists flooded the internet" with vile and hateful comments... I happen to remember that any time a republican was extremely ill or died, here on DU the 98% responded like human beings.. And the 2% were chastised in the community here for having zero class.

The thing that shocks me though, is how these people on the story were posting things about how they wish it was the "other way around" in the story... knowing that they can be tracked by their ISP. I disliked Bush a ton... but never, never, ever, did I wish, or even joke about his death.

We can only hope that the decent human beings emerge and outnumber the vile comments about the poor woman.

[lunatica]

19. 70 is still pretty young

But when I go that's how I want it to happen. Working and happy and then just to feel a little tired and tingly and then die. Rest In Peace Ann Harris.

[progressivebydesign]

33. the Medical Examiner said that she had a "host of medical problems." n/t

[Tx4obama]

21. Obama calls late restaurant owner's family

Obama calls late restaurant owner's family

President Obama Friday called the family of a restaurant owner who died mere hours after his visit, the White House announced.

"The president expressed his sorrow and his condolences about this very sad event," White House press secretary Jay Carney said. "He was honored to meet her and passed on his feelings that the whole family is in his thoughts and prayers."

--snip--

"We're extremely saddened by Ann's sudden passing," the Obama campaign said in a statement. "Ann led an exceptional life by all that knew her."

http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/07/obama-calls-late-restaurant-owners-family-128223.html

[Smilo]

22. Condolences to Josephine's family and friends.........

but how lovely to know that she was able to hug the president - a man who she loved and admired - and to have the photograph of their meeting to treasure.

RIP Josephine - bet you hit those Pearly Gates with a great big smile on your face.

[goclark]

24. RIP Josephine, rest in Peace nt

[Faygo Kid]

23. FReepers react as expected.

They are enjoying it, of course. No link provided; you don't want to go there.

How terrible it must be to be that consumed by hatred.

[Kadie]

25. How sad.

[hlthe2b]

26. Oh, that is sad.... I am glad she got to meet Obama, though. RIP, Ms. Harris

[NS2012]

27. Fox News Headline

Obama kills small business...owner.

[Frustratedlady]

28. I can identify with that...

I can see me being so overwhelmed by meeting him and serving him breakfast, my heart would be pumping big time after he left.

May she rest in peace, bless her heart. My condolences to the family.

[progressivebydesign]

32. not cool. n/t

[AverageJoe90]

35. Rest in peace, Ann.

May your afterlife be filled with eternal joy and peace.

[ohgeewhiz]

36. Sympathies to her family, but good news for all of us...

We might meet Obama in real life any day now, and it might NOT be our last day alive.

We still have much to work for. Much to live for, just as she did, up until her last day.

We still have much to live for, much to work for.

[shanti]

37. poor thing

the excitement was probably too much for her may she RIP.

[Auntie Bush]

38. So sad! But I bet she left this earth happy and died with a smile on her face.

[Odin2005]

39. Oh no! :-(