Former Vice President and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden frequently cites his parents, especially his mother, as major influences in his life (opens in new tab). Katherine Eugenia Finnegan, later Katherine E.F. Biden (the family called her Jean), was born in 1917; she married Joe Biden Sr. in 1941, and Joe Jr. was born in 1942. The family fell on hard times when Joe was young, and the family eventually settled in Delaware, where they have lived ever since. (Open in new tab) Both his mother and father played important roles in both his personal and political life, but for different reasons. Jean appears as an inspirational and supportive (open in new tab) presence in Joe's life, and he can be heard quoting her words and actions in his political speeches. Gene passed away in 2010, but she is still present in Joe's mind and in his political views.

According to an article in the New Yorker (opens in new tab), Gene apparently played a "formidable" role in his upbringing: his mother, a devout Catholic, said, "If you ever talk to my son like that again, I'll go back and tear that hood off. I'll tear it off," he recalls. She supported Joey in his efforts to overcome his childhood stutter." He said, "Because she was so bright, she couldn't say what she thought right away.

When Biden's first wife and young daughter were tragically killed in a car accident, she gave him advice (opens in new tab)." She told me, "Joey, God will not send you a cross that you cannot bear. When Joe later achieved political success, "she was quick to remind me that it was because of others." But she also encouraged people (including her son) to let their emotions out. And she also had inspirational words. She helped Joe run for Senator in 1972 and for President in 2008. She also participated in Joe's campaign when he was elected vice president.

Jean's family also played a role in Joe's decision not to drink (open in new tab). When asked the reason for his sobriety, Joe explained, "I have a lot of alcoholics in my family."

Joe's father, Joe Sr. died in 2002, and Gene approached his son with an idea. He said, 'Joey, build me a house and I'll move in here.' I said, 'Honey, I don't have the money to build a house. She said, 'Well, I don't have the money to build you a house. But I talked to your brother and sister. Sell my house and build me an apartment,'" he said. The result was a small cottage in a converted garage on the Biden family's property, where Jean will live.

In 2008, after receiving the vice presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention, Joe (who was in the audience) mentioned Gene and said, "My mother's creed is an American creed. You are equal to everyone else and everyone else is equal to you."

The Democratic Party's vice-presidential nominee, Gene, was also in the audience.

When Jean passed away (opens in new tab), she was surrounded by loved ones, including her great-grandchildren. She said, "At 92 years old, she was the heart of our family and taught all of her children that family should be cherished, that loyalty is more important than anything else, and that faith can guide us through difficult times. She believed in us and because of that we believed in ourselves," the Bidens said in a statement. Her strength, which is immeasurable, will live on in all of us."

Joe wished Princess Catherine "Happy Mother's Day" in a montage photo on Mother's Day in May 2020:

And it is clear that he still thinks of her often, even 10 years later.