Restaurant owner dies shortly after meeting Obama

Josephine "Ann" Harris, 70, owner of Ann's Place 24-Hour Restaurant, poses for a photo in Akron, Ohio, where President Barack Obama dropped by for breakfast on his bus tour, Friday, July 6, 2012.

/ Paul Tople,AP Photo/Akron Beacon Journal

Updated 5:21 p.m. Eastern Time

(CBS News) Josephine "Ann" Harris, the owner of "Ann's Place" restaurant in Akron, Ohio, died of an apparent heart attack hours after meeting President Obama this morning, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

Harris, 70, hugged the president when he visited her restaurant this morning as part of his "Betting on America" bus tour through Ohio and Pennsylvania. She was photographed alongside the president during his visit, as you can see below. (Harris is in the center.) 

Harris' sister Frankie Adkins told the newspaper that Harris "loved Obama." Adkins said the visit would have been a "highlight" for Harris, who had reportedly been "ecstatic" about the president's visit when she spoke to a reporter Friday morning.

Mr. Obama stopped into the restaurant and had breakfast with three Goodyear Tire employees around 8:30 a.m.; Harris was reportedly pronounced dead at 11:18 a.m.

Speaking aboard Air Force One late Friday, White House Spokesman Jay Carney told reporters that Mr. Obama extends his sorrow and condolences to Harris' family. He said the president phoned Harris' daughter Wilma Parsons after hearing the news.

"He was honored to meet her this morning and passed on his feelings that the whole family is in his thoughts and prayers today," Carney said. 

Twitter/@taylornashay

[cntrygirl3]

I am sure Karl Rove is already preparing the add ominously blaming Obama, and affordable care for the death of this poor woman. My condolences to her family.

[baileycccc]

Just image the death if another republican gets in office. George W. tolls is exceedingly HIGH.

[RollotheNorman]

"Ungrateful for your freedom and safety are you?"

Hey I know something about ingrates, when I can back from 'Nam, neither the VFW or American Legion would have a thing to do us, it wasn't just the civilians, it was older vets too. That's the main reason I would never, ever join either organization.

I think our present day vets have served long and honorably. I support them completely, they didn't ask for the wars they went to, just like I didn't ask for the one I went to.

But if you're going to equate lack of support of Bush's wars with ingratitude, you're just dead wrong. Neither war did a damn thing to make us more secure and really I don't see how anybody could claim they did. All they did is waste 2-3T dollars and the lives of our best young people. That doesn't mean I don't respect the military's professionalism, courage, and effort; it does mean I don't respect the NCA decision that put them there.

[lg144]

The economy isn't the only thing republicans are killing. Let's hope struggling AMericans will see through their con job to blame the president for everything wrong with America.

[jtflush21]

It's not just the economy that's dying.

[aintfakin]

UbamoALibTard July 6, 2012 9:46 PM EDT
I lost my Job a year after Obamo took office. I am still unemployed. I had to move into my parents garag
------------------------------
too bad your PhD in trolling only gets you less than minimum wage from Rove's outfit in here

[lnytnz]

Classy of him to call the family after getting the news

[Calltwoarms]

@One_American Your right wing sicko's should bite your tongues. Don't you ave anything better to do than criticize the greatest President of all times? "Vile disdain"? Think your a bit dramatic? Karly Rove must have made love to you too hard!

[dleighty]

I guess, if meeting Obama was the last thing she wanted in life, whether she died happy or sad depends upon which party you are?

[credibility2]

Sad. Too bad she worked herself up so much seeing the president that it killed her.

[14FREEK]

there won't be a next time to get the eggs right.

[sweetcakesmaria]

we're getting the negativity from the right because it was reported that Miss Harris loved President Obama. Anyone who loves Obama is not very much liked by Repugs.

[ObamasGuppies]

Sad and tragic.