(NEXSTAR) — A memorial service for Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy who raised their 11 children after he was assassinated, will be held on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
Kennedy died last week at the age of 96. She had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke in her sleep earlier this month, her family said.
“She has had a great summer and transition into fall,” said a family statement, issued after she was hospitalized. “Every day she enjoyed time with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was able to get out on the water, visit the pier, and enjoy many lunches and dinners with family. It has been a gift to all of us and to her as well.”
Ethel Kennedy, social activist and widow of Robert F Kennedy, dies after stroke
On Wednesday, a celebration of life for Kennedy will be held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in the District of Columbia.
Among those slated to attend include President Joe Biden, who is scheduled to deliver a eulogy, the Associated Press reports. The memorial is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET, and will be carried in the video player above.
Members of the Kennedy family gathered on Monday for Ethel Kennedy’s funeral, which was closed to the public.
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)
The Kennedy matriarch, whose children were Kathleen, Joseph II, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Max, Douglas and Rory, was one of the last remaining member of a generation that included President John F. Kennedy.
Many of her progeny became well known. Daughter Kathleen became lieutenant governor of Maryland; Joseph represented Massachusetts in Congress; Courtney married Paul Hill, who had been wrongfully convicted of an IRA bombing; Kerry became a human rights activist and president of the RFK center; Christopher ran for governor of Illinois; Max served as a prosecutor in Philadelphia and Douglas reported for Fox News Channel.
Her Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also became a national figure, although not as a liberal in the family tradition. First known as an environmental lawyer, he evolved into a conspiracy theorist who spread false theories about vaccines. He ran for president as an independent after briefly challenging President Joe Biden, and his name remained on ballots in multiple states after he suspended his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump.
Ethel Kennedy did not comment publicly on her son’s actions, although several other family members denounced him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
