Ethel Kennedy, a leading advocate for social justice, has passed away at 96, as her family shared through heartfelt social media posts.
Ethel, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, died in Boston surrounded by family. Her death closes a life marked by activism, strength, and a deep love for her family.
Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, announced on Twitter, “She died this morning from complications related to a stroke suffered last week.” Ethel is survived by nine children, 34 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Joe said his grandmother was a devout Catholic and found peace in believing she is now with her late husband Robert, her sons David and Michael, daughter-in-law Mary, and grandchildren Maeve and Saoirse, along with great-grandchildren Gideon and Josie.
Her son, Robert Kennedy Jr., also shared his grief on social media, mentioning his mother’s lively personality, saying, “She never lost her fun, humor, and spark.”
Many tributes followed, celebrating Ethel’s extraordinary life. Her niece, Maria Shriver, said, “What a life she led. What a huge family she leaves behind. I’m glad I could laugh with her this summer and share memories.”
Robert Kennedy Jr. shared that his mother, Ethel, often spoke with excitement about reuniting with loved ones who had passed, including her 16 Irish setters, all named “Rusty.”
Tributes continued to pour in, honoring Ethel’s life. Her niece, Maria Shriver, posted a touching message, saying, “What a life she led. What a huge family she created and leaves behind. I’m so glad I could laugh with her this summer and share memories.”
Maria also praised Ethel’s character, calling her fearless, funny, smart, a great athlete, and deeply patriotic. She mentioned how deeply Ethel loved her husband, Robert, who Maria affectionately called “Uncle Bobby.”
Maria highlighted Ethel’s strong faith, adding, “During the tough times, and there were many, she leaned on her faith, just like my own mother.”
After Maria’s tribute, Ethel’s granddaughter, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, posted a touching photo on her Instagram Story. The image showed her hand holding Ethel’s, which was adorned with a large diamond ring. Set to Taylor Swift’s song “Starlight,” the picture reflected their closeness during Ethel’s final moments.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton also expressed his and Hillary’s condolences. He honored Ethel’s long and impactful life, calling her a “fierce fighter for justice and equality, a warm, wonderful woman, a great mother, and a dear friend.”
Bill fondly remembered Ethel for her personal touch, noting that she sent the “best Valentine’s Day cards ever” to their family. He added, “Hillary and I loved her very much and will always cherish the friendship, kindness, and support she gave us over the years.”
Ethel was born on April 11, 1928, to a wealthy family in Chicago. Her father, George Skakel, built a successful coal business, and the family eventually moved to a large estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, where Ethel grew up with her six siblings.
Ethel Kennedy attended several prestigious schools, starting with the all-girls Greenwich Academy in Connecticut, followed by the Convent of the Sacred Heart in the Bronx, and then Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart. It was at college where she met Jean Kennedy, and they became close friends and roommates. This friendship would eventually change her life forever.
In 1945, at the age of 17, Ethel met Jean’s brother, Robert Kennedy, during a skiing trip at Mount Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada. At that time, Robert was dating Ethel’s sister, Patricia Skakel. After that relationship ended, Ethel and Robert began dating, marking the start of their lifelong partnership.
Ethel’s involvement in public life went beyond her marriage to Robert. She became well-known for her strong support of John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign and later, her husband’s successful run for a U.S. Senate seat representing New York.
Ethel Kennedy’s impact was vast, as seen in the numerous tributes and birthday wishes from family and friends. Throughout her 96 years, she was known not only for her strong humanitarian work but also for the deep love she had for those around her. Ethel will be remembered for her enduring legacy of fighting for social justice and her dedication to family. Her compassion, strength, and warm spirit touched countless lives, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Heartbreaking footage of an abandoned dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton has sparked outrage online
People are holding a dog owner accountable who left their pet alone right before Hurricane Milton made landfall. An officer responds to a distress call regarding a dog that is tied to a fence near I-75 in a widely shared video that was made public by the Florida Highway Patrol on October 8. In the video, the dog is seen standing in water up to its legs while the officer approaches with caution.
The video shows the kind officer telling the terrified dog, “It’s okay.” The dog starts off growling and barking, but the officer handles it calmly and says, “I don’t blame you,” understanding the animal’s apprehension. It’s alright. “FHP Troopers rescued a dog left tied to a pole on I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd this morning,” the Florida Highway Patrol Tampa later tweeted. Please, don’t do this to your dogs.
“The dog rescued by @FHPTampa is safe and receiving care,” the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced after verifying the canine’s rescue a few hours later. After being examined by a veterinarian, the dog was given the all-clear. The idea to name the rescued dog “Trooper” in honor of the police officers who saved it has been floated around social media.
There has been a great deal of public outcry over the abandonment, with many people advocating for legal action against the owner and expressing disgust at their behavior. Among the remarks were, “This is absurd.” “Those who harm children and pets are the lowest in society and need to be dealt with accordingly,” and “The owner needs to face legal consequences.”
Regarding whether the dog’s owner has returned it, there have been varying accounts; however, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has verified that these reports are untrue. “The dog was rescued and taken to a vet where he received a clean bill of health,” the spokesperson claimed. Right now, he is secure and receiving attention.
This incident emphasizes the importance of careful pet management, particularly in dangerous situations like hurricanes, as well as the necessity of providing immediate care for animals during catastrophes.
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