Finnegan Biden as a true Irish American at her funeral mass today in
Wilmington, Delaware.
He said his mother was "the sole spirit and essence of what it meant
to be an Irish-American mother.
She was "devoted to her Roman Catholic faith, proud of her Irish
heritage, fiercely, fiercely protective of her family, deeply
committed to her husband and always loyal to her friends."
He said that his mother taught all her children that a family's blood
was the thickest substance on earth.
Jean Biden, whose family came from Mayo, died last week at age 92. Her
son, the Vice President brushed away tears as the coffin bearing her
remains were brought from the church.
He often talked of her influence on him including teaching him Irish
history. He learned about the infamous Black and Tans at his mother's
knee and often cited Wolfe Tone, the Irish revolutionary, as his
political hero.
President Obama was there to lay a comforting hand on the Vice
President's shoulder as was former President Bill Clinton. Also
present was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and many of Biden's former
colleagues from the U.S. Senate.
After the service, Biden walked down the aisle with President Obama,
who put an arm around the vice president's back. The president and
first lady Michelle Obama also greeted the extended Biden family at
the back of the church.