Akron, OH -
Just an hour after hosting President Obama for breakfast, the owner of an Akron, Ohio, diner died.
70-year-old Josephine Harris went into cardiac arrest shortly after meeting the president for the first time, the Summit County Medical Examiner's office told ABC News.
Harris was taken by ambulance to Akron General Medical Center after complaining of fatigue and a tingling feeling following Obama's visit, where she later died.
"I'm sure this was her highlight," Frankie Adkins, Harris' sister, who lives in Tulsa, told the Akron Beacon Journal. "She loved Obama."
President Obama learned later of Harris' death while in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and called Wilma Parsons, Josephine's daughter, from aboard Air Force One to express his condolences, according to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.
"Very sad event," Carney said. "He was honored to meet her this morning and passed on his feelings that the whole family is in his thoughts and prayers."
Harris was not at the restaurant when Obama arrived but came later with family members while he was there, Carney said.
Immediately after meeting Obama and taking a photo, Harris recounted to the Akron Beacon Journal that the president had held her hand.
Obama enjoyed a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and whole wheat toast at Harris' Place. He also dined with three tire company workers, according to the Obama campaign.
Medical Examiner spokesman Jason Grom told ABC News that Harris went home after the restaurant meeting with Obama when she experienced distress and called 911.
Harris then went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance en route the hospital and later died of natural causes.
[Sources: Akron Beacon Journal, WEWS - Cleveland, ABC News]
Josephine Harris, screen grab courtesy Akron Beacon Journal
