Willa McKee, mother of RI Gov. Dan McKee and star of memorable campaign ad, dies at 96

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Dan McKee's 96-year-old mother, Willa McKee – who starred in a memorable McKee campaign ad – has died, the governor's office confirmed on Friday.

The McKee family issued this statement Friday morning:

“Our mom and grandmother was an extraordinary source of love, joy, kindness and support to her husband, children, grandchildren and many friends. Her home will forever be known as a fun, safe and welcoming place to be."

"Willa McKee’s masterpiece of a life is now complete," the statement continued. "We are blessed to have her love us all in a very special way. She will be missed and forever loved. Our family thanks everyone for their prayers and asks to respect our privacy during this difficult time.”

Funeral services will be private.

Willa McKee featured in governor's campaign ad

A 2022 ad featured McKee's then- 94-year-old mother in oversize sunglasses, dishing out commentaries on her then-71-year-old son's performance during his first year and a half as Rhode Island's governor.

Her assessment?  "Not bad for a governor that lives with his mother (pronounced Motha)."

The memorable 2022 campaign ad was centered on a back-and-forth between the governor and his mother over a game of cards and coffee milk at the kitchen table in the Cumberland home that the governor and his wife, Susan, shared with his mom.

McKee: "Mom always said, 'It doesn't matter what cards you get, it's how you play your hand.' We got dealt a pandemic and delivered one of the nation's best economic recoveries."

The ad was a hit, so much so that when McKee was out on the campaign trail, the first question he was often asked was "How's your mother ?"

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Willa McKee, mother of RI Gov. Dan McKee and star of memorable campaign ad, dies at 96