Ethel Kennedy, Widow of Robert F. Kennedy, Dies at 96 - Honoring a Legacy of Resilience

In Centerville, Massachusetts, a poignant farewell unfolded as members of the esteemed Kennedy family convened for the solemn funeral of Ethel Kennedy, the widow of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, on Monday. Ethel, a pillar of strength and devotion, passed away on Thursday at the age of 96, leaving behind a profound legacy of advocacy for social justice and an enduring commitment to her family's heritage.

A Life Remembered

The memorial service, held at Our Lady of Victory church, was a private affair, attended by family members and close associates. The gathering occurred under a somber sky, mirroring the profound loss felt by those in attendance.

Ethel Kennedy, who tirelessly nurtured her eleven children following her husband's tragic assassination, succumbed to complications arising from a stroke earlier in the month. A family statement poignantly encapsulated her legacy, stating, “Along with a lifetime’s work in social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love her dearly.”

Resonating with sentiments of profound admiration, President Joe Biden paid tribute to Ethel’s indomitable spirit, declaring her “an American icon —a matriarch of optimism and moral courage, an emblem of resilience and service.”

A Legacy of Advocacy

Ethel Kennedy stood as a stalwart figure in the Kennedy lineage, being the mother to Kathleen, Joseph II, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas, and Rory. Her passing marks the departure of one of the last surviving members of a generation that included President John F. Kennedy. In the days prior to her illness, Ethel had cherished moments spent with many of her relatives, underscoring the deep familial bonds she nurtured.

A daughter of privilege who wed the future senator and attorney general in 1950, Ethel Kennedy faced unimaginable grief by the age of 40, enduring public tragedies that would overwhelm most in a lifetime. She stood resolute beside her husband, Robert F. Kennedy, in the fateful hours of June 5, 1968, when he was fatally shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, moments after securing victory in California's Democratic presidential primary. This heart-wrenching chapter followed the earlier assassination of her brother-in-law in Dallas, a stark testament to the trials faced by the Kennedy family.

Following her husband's untimely demise, Ethel Kennedy channeled her anguish into advocacy, founding the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and fervently championing causes spanning gun control to human rights. Remarkably, she seldom spoke publicly about the assassination, choosing instead to honor her husband's legacy through concerted action.