Roberta McCain, the mother of late Sen. John McCain, grandmother of television host Meghan McCain, and widow of Adm. John McCain Jr., has died at the age of 108.
McCain, born on Feb. 7, 1912, died on Monday, tweeted Cindy McCain, widow of Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican senator for nearly 32 years and the 2008 GOP presidential nominee.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my wonderful Mother In-law, Roberta McCain. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model or a better friend. She joins her husband Jack, her son John and daughter Sandy,” she said.
It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my wonderful Mother In-law, Roberta McCain. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model or a better friend. She joins her husband Jack, her son John and daughter Sandy.
— Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) October 12, 2020
Roberta McCain was known for her forthright character and grace under pressure. She married in 1933, and the couple had three children: Jean Alexandra “Sandy,” John III, and Joseph Pinckney “Joe” McCain II. She remained a ship sponsor for the USS John McCain, named after her husband.
She endured her son’s captivity during the Vietnam War that lasted more than five years, crediting her faith for her public strength.
“Religion has been of great importance to us in our concern for Johnny, religion and the military tradition of my husband’s family. We all pray for the time when we’ll see Johnny again,” she said in 1968. Her son returned home to celebration in 1973.
Her husband died at age 70 in 1981 with her at his side. In her nearly 40 years as a widow, McCain stayed busy, traveling with her identical twin sister, Rowena Willis, who died in 2011 at the age of 99. She also actively campaigned with her son in his bids for the presidency in 2000 and 2008.
John McCain died on Aug. 25, 2018, at age 81.
Meghan McCain wished her grandmother well on her 107th birthday in 2019 and celebrated her strong influence.
“You are the epitome of strength and grace, an American treasure and one of my life role models,” McCain wrote.
Prior to his death from cancer in 2018, John McCain spoke fondly of his mother, whom he considered to be a beacon of strength and courage.
“My mother was raised to be a strong, determined woman who thoroughly enjoyed life and always tried to make the most of her opportunities,” McCain said in his 2005 book Character is Destiny. “She was encouraged to accept, graciously and with good humor, the responsibilities and sacrifices her choices have required of her. I am grateful to her for the strengths she taught me by example, even if I have not possessed them as well and as comfortably as she does.”
Roberta McCain is survived by her son Joe, as well as 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to list Roberta McCain’s surviving children and grandchildren accurately.
