Biden suspends campaign after death of mother-in-law

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. has suspended campaign activities for today and tomorrow after the death yesterday afternoon of his mother-in-law, Bonny Jean Jacobs.

Mrs. Jacobs, 78, lived in Willow Grove, where as a young mother she stayed home to raise her daughters - Jill Biden and her four younger sisters.

In an e-mail, Biden spokesman David Wade described Mrs. Jacobs as a "homemaker and avid gardener with a lifelong love of reading."

He added, "We appreciate everyone's respect for the family's privacy during this difficult time."

Mrs. Jacobs had been ill for a long time and had been in hospice care.

Biden cancelled plans to campaign in Washington on Saturday and in Virginia yesterday after learning of the seriousness of Mrs. Jacobs' condition.

Members of the media were asked to keep a respectful distance as the Biden family spent their final hours with Mrs. Jacobs.

Mrs. Jacobs was born July 5, 1930, in Hammonton, N.J., the daughter of Mabel and Harold Godfrey.

Her other daughters are Jan Hartman, Bonny Glenn, Kelly Jacobs and Kim Snow. Mrs. Jacobs had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Her husband of 49 years, Donald C. Jacobs, died in 1999 at 72. He had spent more than 45 years in the financial industry. When he retired in 1992, he was president and chief executive of the InterCounty Savings Association of Chestnut Hill, where he had worked for 20 years.

A service is planned for 10 a.m. tomorrow at Abington Presbyterian Church. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Penn Wissahickon Hospice, 150 Monument Rd., Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004.