The Kennedy family gathered at a Cape Cod church on Monday to bid farewell to their matriarch, Ethel Kennedy, putting aside recent family conflicts in a moving tribute to her life. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has recently drawn criticism for his support of Donald Trump, was among the mourners at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Centerville, Massachusetts, joined by his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, as well as several prominent family members, including Caroline Kennedy, Max Kennedy, and Joe Kennedy III.
Ethel, who passed away at 96 following a stroke, was the widow of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy and mother of eleven. A towering figure in American public life, Ethel’s legacy included the founding of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and a lifelong dedication to civil and human rights.
Despite the ongoing tensions within the Kennedy family—sparked by RFK Jr.’s unexpected departure from the presidential race and endorsement of Trump—Monday’s service brought the family together. Kennedy’s relationship with his siblings has become strained, with some openly condemning his political choices. Five of his siblings recently issued a statement that described his endorsement as “a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.”
RFK Jr., however, chose to honor his mother in a poignant tribute, sharing on social media, “She wrung joy from every moment… She is with my father now, and I credit her for all my virtues. I’m grateful for her generosity in overlooking my faults.” Hines, who has remained by RFK Jr.’s side amid rumors of marital strain following his alleged affair with journalist Olivia Nuzzi, added her own homage: “Bobby and I spent many warm nights in Hyannis Port hearing her stories, and she will be deeply missed.”
The ceremony drew a wide array of family members, from former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who attended with his ex-wife Kerry Kennedy, to Max Kennedy and other descendants. At the service, mourners shared memories and photographs of Ethel, who raised her children with resilience and humor even after the assassination of her husband in 1968. As bells tolled and white roses adorned her casket, Ethel Kennedy’s life was celebrated for its impact on both her family and the world.
Following the church service, family and close friends gathered for a private wake at the exclusive Hyannis Port Club, marking the final farewell to a woman remembered not just as the Kennedy matriarch, but as an enduring symbol of compassion and tenacity.
