Roberta McCain, Mother of Late ‘Maverick’ Senator John Mccain, Dies at 108

Roberta McCain, whose irrepressible spirit and energy helped shape the maverick tendencies of her older son, the late U.S. Senator 👤John McCain, died on Monday at the age of 108, her daughter-in-law said.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my wonderful Mother In-law, Roberta McCain,” Cindy McCain wrote on Twitter. “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 did not provide further details on the circumstances of her mother-in-law’s death.

McCain, who lived in Washington, was cherished by her late son, who represented Arizona as a Republican U.S. representative and senator for 35 years. She called him “Johnny” until his death from cancer at age 81 on Aug. 25, 2018.

Roberta McCain’s vibrance, charm and penchant for speaking her mind made her a popular attraction during her son’s unsuccessful 2008 campaign for the presidency.

“I want to correct you when you start telling all those big lies,” she told him during a joint interview.

McCain had taken his mother on the trail as a living response to those who thought that at age 71 he was too old to be president. She was 95 at the time, proving that longevity was a family trait, he said.

McCain also liked telling the story about his mother being turned down for a car by a rental agency on a trip to France because she was 93. Her solution was to buy a car and tour France as she had intended. Afterward, she had the car shipped to the U.S. East Coast and drove it across the country.

She also was known for getting speeding tickets, including one for driving 112 miles per hour (180 kph) on a straightaway in Arizona.

Her son, John III, had a distinguished Navy career like her husband, John McCain