Cape Cod funeral set for Ethel Kennedy, social activist and wife of Robert F. Kennedy
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By Boston 25 News Staff
BARNSTABLE, Mass. — Ethel Kennedy, who lost her husband Robert F. Kennedy to assassination, will be laid to rest Monday on Cape Cod following her death last week.
A private funeral mass is set for 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory in the Centerville village of Barnstable.
“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,” the family statement on Ethel’s passing said.
Through the years (Original Caption) 6/17/1950-Grennwich, CT: Robert F. Kennedy Weds Ethel Skakel. Photo shows couple leaving church. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years (Original Caption) Robert F. Kennedy and wife, Ethel Kennedy sit, talking. Ethel is seated on a lawn chair, holding a drink and RFK is sitting on a set of stone stairs. They are both casually dressed. Full length photograph. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years (Original Caption) Robert Kennedy, Chief counsel of the Senate rackets committee, and Mrs. Kennedy are beaming fondly at their new baby, born thursday at Georgetown Hospital, Washington. It is the fourth boy for the Kennedy's, who also have two daughters. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years circa 1961: Portrait of Ethel Kennedy, the wife of Robert Kennedy, sitting in a black dress, pearl necklace and white gloves. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Through the years Robert F. Kennedy and wife Ethel Kennedy sit on the bank of Tampa River during their early July three day float down the Tampa and Green Rivers to Dinosaur National Monument. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years (Original Caption) New York: Her head bowed in prayer as her husband lay in state, Mrs. Ethel Kennedy knelt with (L-R) Robert Jr., Kathleen and Joseph in prayer at St. Patrick's Cathedral. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years Ethel Kennedy; circa 1970; New York. (Photo by Art Zelin/Getty Images) (Art Zelin/Getty Images)
Through the years Members of the Kennedy family visit the gravesite of Senator Robert Kennedy on the anniversary of his death. From left: David Anthony Kennedy, Victoria Lawford (niece of Mrs. Kennedy), Michael Lemoyne Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy, II, Ethyl Kennedy (widow of Robert F. Kennedy), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Mary Courtney Kennedy, Mary Kerry Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy (daughter of late Pres. Kennedy), and Sydney Lawford (niece of Mrs. Kennedy. The man standing to the far right is Dave Hackett, a friend of the Kennedy family.David Anthony Kennedy, Victoria Lawford (niece of Mrs. Kennedy), Michael Lemoyne Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy, II (standing), Mrs. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (standing), Mary Courtney Kennedy, Mary Kerry Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy (daughter of late Pres. Kennedy), and Sydney Lawford (niece of Mrs. Kennedy. The man standing to the far right is Dave H (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Ethel Kennedy playing tennis on August 15, 1973 in New York, New York. (Photo by Santi Visalli/Getty images) (Santi Visalli/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - CIRCA 1978: Ethel Kennedy and Dustin Hoffman circa 1978 in New York. (Photo by PL Gould/Images/Getty Images) (Images Press/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: Ethel Kennedy talks with people during an event in the room where John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for US president on Capitol Hill January 20, 2011 in Washington, DC. John F. Kennedy, a former Senator and the 35th President of the United States, delivered his first inaugural address 50 years ago today. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
Through the years EAST HAMPTON, NY - AUGUST 31: (L-R) Rory Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, Hilaria Thomas Baldwin and Alec Baldwin attend The Hamptons International Film Festival Presents ETHEL Sponsored By Capital One on August 31, 2012 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Janette Pellegrini/Getty Images for The Hamptons International Film Festival) (Janette Pellegrini)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 15: Ethel Kennedy and Rory Kennedy attend HBO's "Ethel" New York Premiere at Time Warner Center on October 15, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ethel Kennedy, President of RFK Center Kerry Kennedy, and Mariah Kennedy Cuomo attend Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice And Human Rights 2013 Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on December 11, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice And Human Rights) (Stephen Lovekin)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 24: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ethel Kennedy (R), widow of Robert F. Kennedy, during an East Room ceremony at the White House November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Ethel Kennedy (L) and writer Kerry Kennedy attend the RFK Ripple Of Hope Gala at Hilton Hotel Midtown on December 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for RFK Ripple Of Hope) (Mike Coppola)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 16: (L-R) Tony Bennett, Donato Tramuto, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kerry Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, and Robert De Niro attend the RFK Ripple Of Hope Gala at Hilton Hotel Midtown on December 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RFK Ripple Of Hope) (Kevin Mazur)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 08: Ethel Kennedy (L) and Apple CEO Tim Cook attend as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights hosts The 2015 Ripple Of Hope Awards honoring Congressman John Lewis, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Evercore Co-founder Roger Altman, and UNESCO Ambassador Marianna Vardinoyannis at New York Hilton on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RFK Human Rights) (Theo Wargo)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 08: Ethel Kennedy attends as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights hosts The 2015 Ripple Of Hope Awards honoring Congressman John Lewis, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Evercore Co-founder Roger Altman, and UNESCO Ambassador Marianna Vardinoyannis at New York Hilton on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for RFK Human Rights) (Astrid Stawiarz)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 06: Vice President Joe Biden accepts an award from Ethel Kennedy at RFK Human Rights' Ripple of Hope Awards Honoring VP Joe Biden, Howard Schultz & Scott Minerd in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RFK Ripple of Hope) (Kevin Mazur)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: Alec Baldwin (L) and Ethel Kennedy attend Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Hosts Annual Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner on December 13, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Ripple Of Hope Awards) (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Ripple Of Hope )
Through the years ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 06: Ethel Kennedy places flowers at the gravesites of Jacqueline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, and Patrick Kennedy during a Remembrance and Celebration of the Life & Enduring Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy event taking place at Arlington National Cemetery on June 6, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for RFK Human Rights) (Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for RFK Human Right)
Through the years ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 06: Daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Rory Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy, human rights campaigner and widow of Robert F. Kennedy, and Christopher Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy, place flowers on the marble tombstone marking the grave of Robert F. Kennedy during a Remembrance and Celebration of the Life & Enduring Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery on June 6, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for RFK Human Rights) (Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for RFK Human Right)
Ethel rarely spoke about her husband’s assassination and was by his side when tragedy struck. She went on to raise their 11 children after he was killed while running for president in 1968.
She advocated for many causes after founding the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
The Kennedy matriarch, mother to Kathleen, Joseph II, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas, and Rory, was one of the last remaining members of a family generation that included President John F. Kennedy.
Her family said she had recently enjoyed seeing many of her relatives before falling ill.