The Matriarch’s Farewell: 7 Most Moving Moments From Ethel Kennedy’s Historic Funeral
Ethel Skakel Kennedy: A Complete Biographical Profile
Ethel Skakel Kennedy was not merely a political spouse; she was a force of nature, a devoted mother, and a lifelong human rights advocate who founded a major global organization in her husband’s name. Her life spanned nearly a century of American history, defined by both immense privilege and unimaginable tragedy.
- Born: April 11, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois.
- Parents: George Skakel Sr. and Ann Brannack Skakel.
- Spouse: U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy (m. 1950; d. 1968).
- Children: 11 children (Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas, and Rory).
- Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren: She is survived by 34 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
- Education: Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart (now Manhattanville University).
- Key Organizations: Founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights in 1968, which was later renamed Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights in her honor.
- Legacy: Political matriarch, social justice activist, and a symbol of resilience after the assassinations of her husband and brother-in-law, President John F. Kennedy.
- Died: October 10, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 96.
The Intimate Farewell: Funeral Mass on Cape Cod
The first service, a private Funeral Mass, took place on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts. This location was deeply significant, as it is close to the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, the family's spiritual and physical home for decades. The service was characterized by its focus on her devout Catholic faith and her role as the loving matriarch of the sprawling Kennedy clan.
The atmosphere was one of quiet solemnity and deep personal grief. The small church was filled primarily with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all gathered to honor the woman who held the family together through decades of public life and private sorrow. The choice of Centerville, Massachusetts, provided a necessary shield of privacy for the family to mourn a woman who had spent much of her life in the public eye. The eulogies delivered here, primarily by family members, focused on her infectious energy, her love of nature, and her unwavering moral compass.
A National Tribute: Highlights from the Washington D.C. Memorial Service
Two days later, on October 16, 2024, a grander, more public celebration of her life was held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. This event was a powerful reflection of her enduring influence on American politics and global human rights movements. It was a historic gathering, featuring a level of political and celebrity attendance rarely seen outside of a state funeral. The service, often described as a “celebration of life,” was nearly three hours long and was filled with poignant tributes and musical performances that highlighted her vibrant spirit and lifelong activism.
1. The Unprecedented Gathering of Presidents
One of the most remarkable aspects of the memorial was the presence of three sitting and former U.S. Presidents. President Joe Biden, a longtime friend of the Kennedy family, delivered a powerful eulogy. He was joined by former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, all paying their respects to the woman who was a political contemporary to their own careers. The sight of these three figures, representing different eras and factions of American politics, united in honor of Ethel Kennedy, underscored her unique stature as a true political matriarch.
2. President Biden’s Emotional Eulogy
President Joe Biden’s address was widely considered the emotional centerpiece of the service. He focused on her incredible resilience, particularly after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, and her immediate pivot to founding the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. Biden spoke of her unwavering faith and her ability to turn personal tragedy into a lifelong mission for social justice. His personal connection to the family allowed for a deeply intimate and moving tribute to her strength and advocacy.
3. Musical Tributes by Global Icons
The memorial service included performances by several music legends, transforming the solemn event into a true celebration. Sting, the renowned English musician, performed his iconic song "Fragile," a choice that resonated deeply with the themes of peace and vulnerability that defined her advocacy. Additionally, the legendary Stevie Wonder and country music star Kenny Chesney also performed, showcasing the wide-ranging respect Ethel Kennedy commanded across different cultural spheres.
4. Martin Luther King III’s Powerful Praise
The presence and words of Martin Luther King III, son of the late civil rights icon, were particularly significant. He praised Ethel Kennedy for living "a luminous life of faith, love and service." His tribute highlighted the deep and enduring alliance between the Kennedy family and the Civil Rights Movement, an alliance that Ethel passionately supported both before and after her husband’s death.
5. The RFK Human Rights Legacy
Multiple speakers focused on the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights organization, which she founded in the wake of her husband's assassination. This entity, which was recently renamed to include her name, was repeatedly cited as her most profound and lasting legacy. The tributes emphasized how she channeled her grief into tangible action, creating a global platform that continues to champion justice, human rights, and social change around the world.
6. The Family’s Public Unity
Despite the occasional political differences within the extended family, the funeral and memorial services demonstrated a powerful and unified front. Members from all generations, including her children Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Kerry Kennedy, were prominently involved in the services. The sight of the large family gathered together served as a powerful visual testament to her role as the matriarch who held the family’s legacy and values intact.
7. The Enduring Impact of a Matriarch
The overall tone of both services was one of immense gratitude for her life's work. She was consistently lauded as a "matriarch," a term that encompasses her role as a mother to 11 children, a guiding light for 34 grandchildren, and a moral compass for the entire Kennedy clan. Her funeral was not just a historical event for the Kennedy family; it was a national moment that celebrated the power of turning personal pain into public purpose, a lesson that continues to inspire activists and political figures today.
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