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Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder of Special Olympics, Dead at 88

by Albert Milliron | August 11, 2009 at 02:36 am

761 views | 80 Recommendations | 7 comments

Another difficult loss for the Kennedy Shriver Families. Eunice Kennedy Shriver has passed away at a Cape Cod Hospital this morning. Family members were called in on Monday as she was slipping away.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was born in Brookline, Massachusetts to parents Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Kennedy (née Fitzgerald). She was the fifth of nice children, among them President John F. Kennedy, attorney general Robert Kennedy, and senator Edward Kennedy.

Kennedy Shriver will be remembered as the founder of the Special Olympics. She also dedicated a large portion of her life to advocating children's health and disability issues, and in 1984 was rewarded the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Ronald Reagan, because of her work on behalf of those with mental retardation.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, has died. She was 88.

Shriver’s surviving siblings and five children held vigil for her at the Cape Cod Hospital in Barnstable, Mass.

Pope Benedict XVI said yesterday he was praying for Shriver and the pope’s U.S. representative wrote a letter to Shriver’s family, known Roman Catholics and philanthropists.

“His Holiness unites himself spiritually with each of you at this difficult time, holding close Eunice as she is called home to eternal life and trusting in the words of Sacred Scripture: What will separate us from the love of Christ?” the San Jose Mercury-News reported the letter read.

via Eunice Kennedy Shriver Dead at 88 | NBC Connecticut.

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Jordan Yerman

at 06:06 on August 11th, 2009

Thanks for posting this so quickly, Al.

Albert Milliron

at 00:29 on August 12th, 2009

Thanks Jordan

Barbara McPherson

at 08:33 on August 11th, 2009

A great woman.

Albert Milliron

at 00:33 on August 12th, 2009

She helped change the ideology to institutionalize children with disabilities. Her personal experiences compelled her to do something special for all special needs kids. The special Olympics was that offering. Just shows that some of our most difficult trials can catapult us to changing our part of the world. Service was expected in the family and she served the world well. Blessings to the families

marianmo

at 10:12 on August 11th, 2009

ty for this post she was a great lady and one deserving of all tributes in her lifetime and in her death.....a great example for all

A. Tran

at 15:10 on August 12th, 2009

Thanks for this post, Al. Mrs. Shriver was the best advocate for disable Americans, young and old. Her Special Olympics has opened doors to better understanding and appreciation of those with special needs.