Sen. John McCain's 106-Year-Old Mother Heartbroken Having To Bury Her Child
Life has rhythms — certain predictable patterns that we come to expect. The sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening.
We go to school for the first two decades of our lives. Then we work for the next four.
We may marry and have children. We expect those children to grow up and bury us one day when our life draws to a close.
There’s a certain symmetry to how we think life should play out, but things don’t always unfold the way we believe they ought to. Just ask John McCain’s mother.
When Roberta McCain reached the astonishing age of 106 on February 7, 2018, warm wishes spilled out of Washington, D.C.
“Happy 106th birthday to my incredible Nana McCain,” tweeted her granddaughter and political columnist, Meghan McCain.
“You are an inspiration to me and so many others! I love you dearly.”
Yet such warm wishes must’ve felt a little bittersweet. Why? While Roberta McCain turned another year older, her son, Sen. John McCain, was fighting a life and death battle with cancer.
In 2017, McCain was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive and usually fatal form of brain cancer. He fought the disease for over a year just as ferociously as he fought for life in a Việt Cộng concentration camp.
Sadly, though, it wasn’t enough. Fox News reported that he succumbed to his disease on August 25.
“I am so lucky to have lived the adventure of loving this incredible man for 38 years,” wrote his wife, Cindy McCain. “He passed the way he lived, on his own terms, surrounded by the people he loved, in the the place he loved best.”
Further condolences soon arrived from all sides of the political aisle. “For John McCain, his country was his life,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said after his passing. “He was tireless in its service. Courage, determination, and relentless drive made him a great leader.”
“Although it was clear that John McCain’s life was ending, his death today hurts. America has lost one of the greatest patriots and public servants in our history,” said Sen. Joe Lieberman.
But no one had as heartbreaking a reaction as Roberta McCain. She didn’t speak of what happened, but a family friend shared her thoughts with People.
“She is all there, mentally, and is still going strong at 106,” the friend said. “She outlived her 81-year-old son. That tells you a lot … It’s a tough blow to bury your child.”
Tough, indeed. In fact, there are no words for it. We pray that you will find a measure of comfort in the coming days, Mrs. McCain.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
