Kennedy Family Honors Ethel Kennedy at Private Funeral \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ethel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, passed away at 96. A private funeral in Centerville, Massachusetts, brought together the Kennedy family to honor her lifelong dedication to social causes and family. As a mother of 11 and founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, she left a legacy of strength, compassion, and advocacy.
Ethel Kennedy’s Legacy: Quick Looks
- Ethel Kennedy passed away at the age of 96 after suffering complications from a stroke.
- A private funeral took place at Our Lady of Victory church in Centerville, Massachusetts, attended by family and close friends.
- She raised 11 children alone after Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, staying devoted to social justice and continuing her husband’s legacy.
- President Joe Biden called her an “American icon” and praised her for her moral courage and resilience.
- Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, promoting causes such as gun control and human rights.
- Her passing marks the end of a significant chapter for the Kennedy family, leaving behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Deep Look
Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a prominent figure within one of America’s most famous political families, passed away at age 96 after suffering complications from a stroke earlier this month. On Monday, mourners gathered under a cool, gray sky for a private funeral held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Centerville, Massachusetts, a small town about 70 miles south of Boston. Although closed to the public, the funeral brought together her large family and close friends to honor the life of a woman who played an enduring role in shaping the Kennedy legacy.
Ethel’s death was met with an outpouring of tributes from across the political and social spectrum. Her family released a heartfelt statement that captured the essence of her life: “Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly.” The statement further highlighted her unwavering commitment to both her family and the causes she championed over her lifetime.
President Joe Biden, a longtime admirer of the Kennedy family, called her “an American icon — a matriarch of optimism and moral courage, an emblem of resilience and service.” His words reflect how Ethel Kennedy symbolized strength in the face of adversity. She remained a steadfast figure in public service, deeply committed to social causes, particularly in the wake of the tragedies that repeatedly struck her family.
Born Ethel Skakel in 1928 to a wealthy and influential family, she grew up with the privileges of a millionaire’s daughter, but she also developed a strong sense of social responsibility early in life. In 1950, she married Robert F. Kennedy, then a rising political star destined for greatness. Over the next few years, they had 11 children, and Ethel was often seen as the energetic and spirited counterpart to her more serious husband.
Tragedy struck the family when her brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963. This event was followed by the devastating assassination of her husband, Robert, just five years later in 1968. Ethel was by his side when he was shot in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after delivering a victory speech upon winning California’s Democratic presidential primary. At just 40 years old, she had already endured more loss and heartache than most people experience in a lifetime.
However, Ethel did not retreat from public life after her husband’s death. Instead, she dedicated herself to carrying on his legacy, particularly his passion for social justice. In 1968, she founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, an organization that continues to fight for human rights around the world. Under her leadership, the Center became a leading voice in advocating for issues such as gun control, workers’ rights, and support for impoverished communities. Despite the high profile of the causes she championed, Ethel remained relatively private about her personal grief, rarely speaking publicly about her husband’s assassination.
Throughout her life, Ethel Kennedy’s deep faith and sense of family were the cornerstones of her resilience. In the years following her husband’s death, she raised their 11 children largely on her own, instilling in them a commitment to public service and social justice. Many of her children went on to become public figures in their own right, continuing the Kennedy tradition of advocacy and political engagement. Her son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., followed his parents’ example by becoming an environmental lawyer and political activist. Her daughter, Rory Kennedy, became a successful documentary filmmaker, often focusing on social and political issues.
Ethel Kennedy also remained a constant presence at key moments in American history. Over the decades, she attended countless public events, many of which honored her late husband’s legacy. She was present at numerous anniversaries of Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination and was deeply involved in the ongoing efforts of the RFK Center. Despite the public attention that surrounded her family, Ethel Kennedy was often described as warm, down-to-earth, and fiercely dedicated to her children and grandchildren.
As the last surviving member of a generation of Kennedys who shaped American politics and culture, Ethel’s passing marks the end of an era. Her family said she had recently enjoyed time with many of her relatives, a final chapter of connection and love in a life defined by both triumph and tragedy. In addition to her many accomplishments, Ethel Kennedy’s enduring legacy will be the example she set of how to turn personal sorrow into a force for good.
Ethel Kennedy will be remembered not only as the widow of a U.S. senator and the mother of 11 children but also as a symbol of strength, compassion, and relentless dedication to human rights. Her contributions to social justice through the RFK Center, her tireless advocacy, and her role as the matriarch of the Kennedy family ensure that her legacy will live on for generations.
Kennedy Family Honors
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