Biden Eulogizes His Mother

Vice President Joe Biden remembered his mother as a strong-willed woman of unshakable faith during a funeral mass at a Delaware church Tuesday.

The vice president delivered the eulogy for his mother before more than 700 mourners including President Barack Obama at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic in Wilmington.

"She believed in us, so we believe in ourselves. How could we do less?" he said. "Mom taught us that courage was not defined by the lack of fear, but by the willingness to act in spite of your fears; that bravery lived in each of our hearts. And her expectation was that we would be summoned to reach for it when necessary."

Jean Finnegan Biden died Friday at age 92 after falling ill in recent days.

Several mourners who could not get inside the church lined up outside to pay their respects to the woman fondly known as “Mom-Mom.”

Three granddaughters gave Scripture readings, and pallbearers included four grandsons.
Monsignor Thomas Cini told Mrs. Biden's children that she was "your strength, your rock."

In death, Monsignor Cini added, Mrs. Biden has been reunited with her siblings and her husband, who died in 2002.

"You can imagine the Irish feast that's going on right now, and she's leading them," the priest said.

First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and about a dozen Cabinet officials were among the guests who attend funeral services for Mrs. Biden.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Sens. Chris Dodd and Arlen Specter, and other members of Congress also attended.