Kennedy family gathers on Cape Cod for Ethel Kennedy’s funeral
This browser does not support the video element.
By Boston 25 News Staff
BARNSTABLE, Mass. — Members of the Kennedy family gathered Monday on Cape Cod for the funeral of Ethel Kennedy, who lost her husband Robert F. Kennedy to assassination.
Monday’s funeral, which was closed to the public, took place at Our Lady of Victory, in Centerville, Massachusetts, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Boston.
“It is with our hearts full of love that we announce the passing of our amazing grandmother, Ethel Kennedy. She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week,” her family said in a statement shared on X. “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.”
Monday’s funeral service, which was closed to the public, was held at Our Lady of Victory in the Centerville village of Barnstable.
Ethel Kennedy Funeral Pallbearers Max Kennedy, left, Chris Kennedy, behind center left, both sons of the late Ethel Kennedy, and Matt Kennedy, center front, and, Joseph Kennedy III, front second from right, both grandsons of Ethel Kennedy, carry her casket from Our Lady of Victory church, following funeral services, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy Funeral Mourners depart Our Lady of Victory church following funeral services for Ethel Kennedy, wife of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy Funeral Joseph Kennedy III, center, grandson of Ethel Kennedy, speaks to his wife Lauren Birchfield, second right, following funeral services for Ethel Kennedy at Our Lady of Victory church, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy Funeral Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, center, speaks with Monsignor Kenneth Velo, right, following funeral services for Ethel Kennedy, wife of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, at Our Lady of Victory church, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy Funeral Mourners hug following funeral services for Ethel Kennedy, wife of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, at Our Lady of Victory church, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy Funeral A funeral procession departs Our Lady of Victory church following services for Ethel Kennedy, wife of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy Funeral Former Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II, center right, son of the late Ethel Kennedy, arrives at Our Lady of Victory church, for Ethel Kennedy's funeral, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy Funeral Joseph Kennedy III, center right, grandson of the late Ethel Kennedy arrives at Our Lady of Victory church, for Ethel Kennedy's funeral, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Centerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Ethel Kennedy funeral
Mourners gathered at the church on a cool, gloomy fall day to pay their respects. Photos and video showed family carrying Ethel’s casket inside for the service.
Ethel rarely spoke about her husband’s assassination and was by his side when he was killed while running for president in 1968.
Ethel advocated for many causes after founding the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
President Joe Biden called Ethel an “American icon” after her passing.
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.
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)