Honoring Jean Finnegan Biden
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 10:29 AM 
Image by Nicholas Kamm / Getty Images
The president and first lady are en route to Delaware this morning, to attend the funeral of Vice President Joe Biden's mother, Jean Finnegan Biden.
Vice President Biden gave a eulogy at his mother's memorial service, describing her as:
"...as a remarkable woman. She was a quintessential combination of both optimism and pragmatism. Heroic in her ideals but solid in her expectations."
For more details on the service, ABC News has a thorough report here.
This afternoon, the Os were already back to Washington, photographed as they returned to the White House. Mrs. O looked particularly lovely to honor Mrs. Biden today, dressed in a lace print wool coat over a black dress, accessorized with tall black boots and a single strand of pearls. As reader "philly" so perfectly describes, the ensemble was "sophisticated and up to the minute" while still reflecting a "mournful palette." The first lady also debuted a sleek, shorter bob haircut.
Image by Win McNamee / Getty Images
Reader Comments (119)
This look, I believe, is what people were looking for on Memorial Day rather than turquoise. Up to the minute, sophisticated, but with that mournful palette. Absolutely gorgeous while conveying deep sorrow. On another day, with a scarf or bright fuschia gloves it tells another story.
That is a lovely coat. So glad to see Mrs Obama again!
I LOVE her haircut!!! I thought she was growing it out, but I was wrong. Hot newly 46 year old mama.
Loving the new hair cut. Cant wait to see more pictures. The boots are amazing!
So happy Mrs. O is back, unfortunately for a sad occasion. But yay!
HEART FELT SORRY TO THE BIDEN FAMILY ON THE LOSS OF THE FAMILY TREASURE.
THE PRESIDENT AND MRS O LOOK GREAT TOGETHER . I LOVE THAT BAG MS T CAN YOU
FIND OUT WHO THAT BAG IS BY.
Our thoughts are with the Biden family today. Seeing Mrs. Biden make an occasional appearance during the campaign was always a treat--she had a twinkle and vitality that belied her advanced age. Let's hope Mrs. Robinson (Mrs. O's mother) has as long and healthy a life.
I SAW THE WHOLE OUTFIT MRS O IS WEARRING PANTS I DONT THINK IS A DRESS BUT SOMETIME YOU CANT TELL BECOUSE SHE IS WEARRING BLACK LOVE HER BOOT IT HAD A HEEL ON IT THE LAST ONE SHE WEAR WAS FLAT HI SUDE BOOT LOVE HER HAIR IS FULL THEY DID A GOOD JOB ON IT I CANT WEIT TO SEE THE DINNER PARTY THEY HAD LAST NIGHT SO FOR I DIDNT SEE ANY PICES YET.HER PEARLS ARE NICE THIS PEARL SHE WEARRING IS THE ONE THAT ONE THAT MR O BROUGHT HER FOR HER FOR THERE ANNIVERSARY AND I LOVE HER BLACK PRUSE BUT SHE HAD IT BEFORE AND THE BLACK AND WHITE COAT SHE WEAR BEFORE TO.
OH AM SORRY I MET THAT SHE WEAR THIS BLACK AND GRAY COAT BEFORE NOT THE BLACK AND WHITE COAT THAT SHE WEAR LAST YEAR. LOL
Welcome back Mrs. O. and the last line says more to follow.
POTUS, so gentleman-like as usual. Tall and handsome - regal.
What and amazing "Man" the way he looks at her with a smile.
Looking forward to more pics. I must admit I would like to
see the front view. My deepest condolence to the Biden Family.
Oh Wow. This photo of Mrs.O is stunning and completely natural. I love the boots. I also heard somewhere that the bag she is carrying is Robert Clergerie. I hope you can get this pic. on the site Mrs.T.
I love her hair!!
Yes, this haircut seems to be a great length for Mrs. O -- youthful, sophisticated and fun, all at once. Am really loving her boots, too!
wow
the hair cur, the sunglasses, the bag, the dress, the pearls......so Retro chic yet modern and gorgeous
she looks fantastic
My sincere condolences to the Biden family on the loss of their beloved matriarch. RIP Mother Biden.
Michelle Obama = Flyest FLOTUS evah!!!!
I love her new hair cut. I don't think our first lady looks good on sunglass.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama/im:/100112/480/9363bdedfa6346688b0780b97e57b2a3/#photoViewer=/100112/ids_photos_ts/r3427894396.jpg
Mrs. O's new cut is fantastic, and she looks great IN sunglassES.
Those boots have a great, simple heel.
Well, it is so good to see MY beloved FLOTUS back.....It felt like ages.....but looking beautiful as ever
and the hair cut.....LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Of cousre the most Handsome POTUS by her side.
Love the coat and her boots right on point, Love the whole look today!
Condolence to the Bidens.
I have to disagree. I think she looks fine with sunglasses on...jeez.
Love the hair, dress, jacket, gloves, bag, and boots. As marabout40 said, our first lady is FLY!
Anyway, the pictures of a grieving VP and his family remind me that although Mrs. O looks FAB, this is a sad day for all of them. RIP Mama Biden.
I knew she was going to come back with a hair cut. They staged the change perfectly by putting her in up-dos for the last couple of months. Its a nice cut. Love the boots and coat!!!!
Mrs. T, she if you can find out who those boots are by.
I have to agree with the other posts that mention what a gentleman the President is. He always sem to attend to Mrs Obama, or his daughters, on the stairs of Airforce One. I too, love the way he beams at his wife, the hand holding etc. What an amazing example they set for married couples.
So wonderful to see this wonderful display of affection in this cynical world of ours.
Let's all just ignore the sunglasses comment.
It is a sad day for the Bidens. She was quite a woman, just like jerseygirl's grandmother.
I am so sorry for the Biden family, but happy for Jean Biden that she lived the last year of her life with her son as vice president of the United States. What a thrill for a mom! She must have been so proud.
As for Mrs. O's boots--they remind me of the black boots we frequently see Jill Biden in. I can't help but wonder if they are a tip of the hat or a gesture of solidarity at this sad time.
My condolences to the Biden family!
Mrs O really is too fly! Especially on the pic w/ the shades, the gloves, the handbag, and check out the thigh high boots. Super Diva!
The cut is freakin' fabulous. You can't tell what's really going on when the wind blows her hair, but it's a beautiful classic angled cut. Shorter in the back and longer in the front! Loves it!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100112/480/49a39c1ce96e465ea8ef0152d086b666/#photoViewer=/100112/ids_photos_ts/r1438850405.jpg
Condolences to the Biden family.
Love, love, love Mrs. O's haircut and her total look, including the sunglasses. She is just TOO foxy! Nic John thanks for the yahoo link....lots of pictures showing many different views of the FLOTUS.
Mrs. T, thanks so much for this site....it is one of my all-time favorites...
Happy New Year to everyone....
I agree with Philly (first post) on all counts...
Yes, indeed a sad day for the Biden family. But what great goodness to have had a matriarch who enjoyed so many fruitful and engaging years on this earth. Michelle herself looks divinely beautiful today, esp. in company of her always elegant and attentive man. The thing that strikes me most of all, though, is that both of them attended this service today, and all the while subtly demonstrating their altogether remarkable togetherness. When it comes down to it, neither one of them had to go, let alone both. But they went. And this is what they do over and over again. Like so many, I cannot resist following Michelle's "look"--so new, refreshing, and ever surprising. I love it. What I especially love, though, are the actions, and the heart of this tremendous couple.
It's wonderful that the O's could go to the funeral. So sad for Joe Biden and his family. Jean seemed like a very great lady. Really something else (and very chic in her way).
Looking forward to seeing more of Mrs. O's new haircut. Lovely coat.
Philly....what a great way to put it! Love the coat, the boots and the hair on Mrs. O.
so much for dark skin not being beautiful. beauty is half confidence, my friends. ask barack.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/01/obamas-attend-funeral-for-joe-bidens-mother/1
This is a great view of the First Ladies hair cut as well.
Trying not to cut my hair.
Love the boots!
FLOTUS is gearing back up! We'll see her again on Thursday!
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0110/praise_for_labor_cc4e0854-662a-4029-97ca-46b8ca9f559e.html
Mrs O looks great. I am not sure it is her hair.
Fashion forward from head to toe. I love the bouiffant hair style, the retro style coat over the beautifully styled black winter dress, simply elegant, of course IMHO, the boots and the bag are to live for; and the single strand of pearls, mahvelous!!!
What a classy couple to represent our country.
Michelle looks great...
Great cut, love the style but is not the best choice for a her shape of face and high cheek bones.
My condolences to the Biden family. I love the anecdote abut his Mom telling him to go outside and bloody the nose of those who bullied him. LOL
Mrs. O looks fabulous. From the sunglasses (lest she be blinded by all her hatahs, ROFL) to the tips of her spike heeled boots.
...and I love her chin length bob - looks good on her.
Paying respect to a life well lived. Rest in peace Mrs. Biden.
Someone up-thread labeled this look retro chic. I totally agree. Love the boots and the new do!
She has never looked more beautiful. Her haircut is great, and moves beautifully. With a cut like that you never have to worry about it blowing out of place - it just goes "back home" where it belong when the wind dies down.
It is fun to see her carrying a real purse. She carries totes back and forth to the helicopter and Air Force one, and uses the occasional evening clutch, but I don't recall another daytime bag like this.
Mrs. Biden was a remarkable woman who lived a long and remarkable life, often in the company of a son who adored her. It doesn't get much better than that.
Normally I'd pass up commenting given the purpose of the day's occasion - but Mrs. O's new cut is too fabulous to pass up saying so at the first opportunity!
Love her hair. I'm looking forward to see what she wears next with her new cut.
So Sorry for the Biden's loss. RIP Mother Biden.
I love love love Mrs. O new haircut. Very Chic!! Now people can rest their minds trying to figure out why her hair was up. LOL!! I love the coat, dress, sunglasses, gloves and divalicious boots. Like the ladies mentioned above, we officially have the FLYEST FIRST LADY EVER!!!!!!
Yes, I agree with Philly too.
She looks lovely...everything looks fantastic.
Nyon, those boots are divalicious. I want a pair! and the purse, gloves, sunglasses!
love michelle's look with the printed coat. It appears that she is wearing some type of half wiglet or short fall... using her own edges.... and it looks sensational. It's pretty obvious from the thickness and the way the part is...natural hair wouldn't be so puffy on the side like that .... in any event, she looks gorgeous and the shorter angled cut is indeed flattering. Black women now have a lot of versatility with their hair and it's fun to see Michelle experiment with hairdos as fashion.
At last, the drought has ended....Mrs. O looks wonderfully rested, recharged, and beautiful, from her hairdo to her boot tip. Condolences to the Bidens on their loss.
I've been following the Obamas long enough to safely say that Michelle Obama would never wear a hair piece.
I had a similar cut several years ago and the cut made my hair seem fuller and just looked like it had more body. It literally "bobbed" up and down it was so fluffy.
There's no hairpiece there.
From the crown of her gorgeous new do (real hair or not) to the sole of those, yes, divalicious boots, Mrs. O does not disappoint. She looks marvelous and those look like new sunglasses, stunning. When Mrs. T listed her favorites for 2009 there were many that I loved but this blows them all away, for me. I love this kind of texture and pattern and these flowing overcoats are my style, totally totally chic. I wish I could be tousled by the wind and still look glamorous like this
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/95721094/AFP
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/95725030
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/95720437
I would love to see what the dress looks like.
Beautiful lines here http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/95721100/AFP
Got to go but please Mrs. T or anyone whose bag is that!
You look absolutely gorgeous, Mrs. O., but please....button your coats!