Members of the Kennedy family gathered on Monday to bid farewell to Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Ethel, who passed away at the age of 96 last Thursday, was known for raising their 11 children single-handedly after her husband’s assassination, as well as for her commitment to social causes and preserving the family’s legacy.
The private funeral took place at Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, Massachusetts, situated approximately 28 miles north of Boston, under a somber sky. Ethel had passed away due to complications from a stroke she suffered earlier in the month. The family’s announcement of her death highlighted her extensive family tree, which includes nine children, 34 grandchildren, 24 great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom held a deep affection for her.
President Joe Biden described Ethel as “an American icon – a matriarch of optimism and moral courage, an emblem of resilience and service.” She was the mother of Kathleen, Joseph II, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas, and Rory, and one of the few remaining members of the renowned Kennedy family, which also included President John F. Kennedy. Despite her recent illness, Ethel had the opportunity to spend time with many of her relatives before her passing.
Ethel, who married the future senator and attorney general Robert F. Kennedy in 1950, endured more tragedies by the age of 40 than most people experience in a lifetime, including the public assassination of her husband in 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. She was a steadfast advocate for causes such as gun control and human rights, founding the Robert F. Kennedy Center soon after her husband’s death. Despite the profound impact of her husband’s assassination, Ethel rarely discussed the tragedy publicly.
This funeral marked a poignant moment for the Kennedy family, as they bid farewell to a matriarch who had played a significant role in shaping their family’s legacy and continuing the work of her late husband in social justice and human rights. Ethel Kennedy’s impact and influence will endure as a beacon of strength and dedication for future generations.