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The death of Ethel Kennedy brings back memories of Cape Cod

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The death of Ethel Kennedy brings back memories of Cape Cod

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A shipment of white roses arrived at the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum Thursday afternoon as a tribute to Kennedy family matriarch Ethel Kennedy, who died earlier in the day.

“She was more Kennedy than any other Kennedy. Joe Kennedy Sr. recognized that and revered her for it,” said Larry Tye, author of “Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon.”

The white roses, Ethel's favorite roses, were displayed in the museum's lobby along with a book of condolences, according to the museum's executive director, Wendy Northcross, in anticipation of an influx of visitors wanting to express their sadness and share their thoughts about being one of Roses The last family members of John F. Kennedy's Camelot have disappeared.

“Over the years, the museum has been a place for people to leave their thoughts and condolences for the family,” said Northcross, who had received inquiries about Ethel's well-being before her death was announced Thursday morning.

Kennedy, the oldest living member of one of Massachusetts' most prominent political families, suffered a stroke last week. Her grandson, former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, announced the news Thursday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Hearts full of love”

“With our hearts full of love, we announce the passing of our great grandmother Ethel Kennedy,” he wrote. “She died this morning as a result of a stroke she suffered last week. In addition to her life's work for social justice and human rights, our mother leaves behind nine children, 34 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. all of them love her very much.”

He continued, “She was a devout Catholic and communicated daily, and we are comforted to know that she is reunited with the love of her life, our father Robert F. Kennedy, her children David and Michael, and her daughter-in-law, Mary.” ; her grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse; and her great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie.

Kennedy was 96 years old and was the oldest member of the Kennedy family at the time of her death. She was born on April 11, 1928. She died on Thursday October 10th.

Richard Neitz, owner of Neitz Real Estate in Yarmouth, said he has met Ethel Kennedy many times over the years.

“Ethel was always a leader and an instigator,” he said.

She loved sailing in all weathers, said Neitz, a fellow sailor who went out on one of the family boats, the Glide, just last summer.

“Every time I called her Mrs. Kennedy, she told me to call her Ethel,” Neitz said Thursday. “She was always smart and funny, and she always liked having lots of people around her.”

Lynne Poyant, chairwoman of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Trust Committee and the JFK Hyannis Museum Board of Trustees, said she would occasionally see Ethel Kennedy at events.

“She was usually at the museum to support one of her children speaking or to support a friend who was giving an author talk,” Poyant said. “There were often so many people vying for her attention. I think she was warm and friendly and acknowledged that people were there and they acknowledged her too.”

Poyant was executive director of the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 2005, when it ran the JFK Hyannis Museum. Poyant remembered the death of John F. Kennedy Jr. and said she was impressed by Ethel Kennedy's composure.

“When you think about the tragedies she has experienced in her life – the loss of her husband, her children and grandchildren… But I read somewhere that she lives in the moment and is anchored in her faith, and I think that has kept them going.”

Family ties for Ethel Kennedy

Ethel Kennedy was married to former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He was fatally shot during his presidential campaign in 1968. Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy were married for more than 17 years. He died less than two weeks before their 18th wedding anniversary. She never married again. The couple had 11 children together.

Several of her children pursued careers in politics – her eldest child, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, was the first female lieutenant governor of Maryland, and her son, Joseph Kennedy II, was a Massachusetts state representative.

Most recently, Ethel Kennedy's son Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president in 2024 before dropping out of the race and endorsing former President Donald Trump in August.

(A video that appears with this story has been updated to correct an inaccuracy.)

Staff writer Gwenn Friss contributed to this story.

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