Kennedy Clan Gathers to Say Goodbye to Joan Kennedy
The first wife of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, Joan Bennett Kennedy, has passed away at 89. Her complicated legacy was marked by addiction, music, and a political dynasty.
Dozens of Kennedy family members gathered in Boston to mourn her death at a Catholic Mass. Joan Kennedy reportedly died in her sleep, leaving behind a legacy that was complex and multifaceted.
“It's no secret that she had a complicated life, you know, her troubles with alcohol. But for us, she was our grandmother,”
said Edward Kennedy III after the funeral. He expressed gratitude to the city of Boston for embracing her as she rebuilt her life after her divorce from Ted Kennedy in 1982.
- Hundreds attended the downtown service, including former U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III.
- Current U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. served as a pallbearer.
Author's summary: Joan Kennedy's complicated legacy was remembered by her family and hundreds of mourners.