John McCain’s 106-Year-Old Mom Grieving The Loss Of Her Son: It’s ‘Tough’ To ‘Bury Your Child’
The country is honoring and mourning decorated war veteran, POW survivor and U.S. senator, John McCain after the 81-year-old succumbed to brain cancer on Saturday. He discontinued medical treatment the previous day. McCain was diagnosed with glioblastoma in July 2017. This is the most severe and aggressive form of brain cancer.
Sen. McCain impacted the lives of thousands. None more so than Roberta McCain, his 106-year-old mother. A close family friend of the McCain’s told PEOPLE that Roberta is “incredibly proud” of her middle child.”
A happy belated birthday to Roberta McCain who turned 104 years old last week! 104. Wow. Roberta is Senator John McCain's mom.
“Roberta was his biggest supporter and the leader of his fan club. She was incredibly proud of him,” the source says. “His mommy loved him. He knew that.”
The source points out the centenarian’s age. She “is a very strong woman.”
“SHE IS ALL THERE, MENTALLY, AND IS STILL GOING STRONG AT 106,” THE FRIEND TELLS PEOPLE. “SHE OUTLIVED HER 81-YEAR-OLD SON. THAT TELLS YOU A LOT. BUT IT’S A TOUGH BLOW TO BURY YOUR CHILD .”
The source also said that Roberta did not travel to Arizona, but she and her son did speak over the phone. She was aware that he was ceasing medical treatment.
“I can only imagine what she’s going through,” the friend says of Roberta through tears.
Sen. McCain and his first wife Carol still speak and are still close. They divorced in 1980 after a 15-year marriage where they had three children: sons Douglas, Andy, and daughter Sidney.
“John never stopped loving Carol,” the insider says. They spoke regularly.
The insider exclusively told PEOPLE: “Roberta is 106, but she’s spunky. She knows he is ill.”
In 2008, the proud mother, at the age of 96 spoke to McCain supporters: “Johnny is going to be the president of the United States, and he’s going to keep the traditions … and the standards high,” she told the crowd, receiving applause.
“All we want is a world where we can raise our children, have a chance at prosperity and happiness, and we can vote any way we want to,” she continued before ending on a sweet note. “I can not thank you enough … I wish I could kiss each one of you on the cheek. If I get a chance, I will.”
PEOPLE recalled the time the publication spent on McCain’s campaign bus during 2007 when Roberta was 95. There’s a cute story she shared with the magazine after her son’s urging..
“ROBERTA TEASED HER SON, “I WANT TO CORRECT YOU WHEN YOU START TELLING ALL THOSE BIG LIES.”
“When the conversation turned to the “Straight Talk Express” campaign bus itself — “This is wonderful! Can you imagine me comfortable on a bus?” Roberta said — Sen. McCain asked his mother to regale the group with a story about a driving mishap in Arizona.
“It’s so dumb!” she began. “I was driving across the continent [in 2003] and had 300 miles to Los Angeles. I thought, well, I can make it tonight. So
