'A source of inspiration': Family, friends say goodbye to Joan Kennedy

Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald on Oct 15, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BOSTON — The Kennedy family, friends and Boston community gathered Wednesday to reflect on the life and legacy of Joan Kennedy after her passing last week — remembering her love of music, perseverance through challenges and widespread inspiration.

“I admire my mother so much for the way that she faced up to her challenges with courage, grace, honesty and humility,” Ted Kennedy Jr. said in his eulogy, looking out to a chapel filled with dozens of family members and more lives his mother touched.

“Even through her adversity, she never stopped trying, and she never lost hope,” her son added. “Sure she had her ups and downs, as many here are aware, but she also led a life of success, fun, and professional accomplishment, filled with friendships and love.”

Joan Kennedy, 89, the first wife of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and a classically trained pianist, passed away in her sleep last week.

A host of the massive Kennedy clan flocked to Boston for the ceremony at St. Anthony’s Shrine, including Joan’s son former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III, and current Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who served as a pallbearer.

Numerous funeralgoers noted that Joan Kennedy served as an inspiration in their lives and the lives of countless others, citing her struggles with addiction and mental health.

“My mother faced her struggles persistently and openly,” said Patrick Kennedy in his eulogy. “And in so many ways, she prepared me for my life’s tour — first to find my way out of the darkness and later to serve as an advocate for my fellows in recovery, just as she did.”

Patrick called his mother’s life a “rich, fascinating, dramatic symphony” and noted though “with every relapse making the papers, frankly, what never got covered were her many years of quiet sobriety.”

Both the sons told detailed stories of their mother’s life, from her early days modeling in the “center of the action” of the golden age of TV variety shows — “the only agency model who could chug a full bottle of Coca-Cola and then hold her smile directly into the camera without burping,” Ted said to a wave of laughter — to her time on the campaign trail smiling through “every coal mine in the state” with John F. Kennedy and playing “This Land is Your Land” on Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential stops, to her pivotal role in the release of renowned cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich from Soviet Russia.

Ted Kennedy choked up over the words “in many ways, her musical talent saved her life,” and called a flawless performance of Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1 at Boston Symphony Hall “the defining moment in Mom’s life.”

“At that moment, she finally realized and understood that she possessed not just tremendous musical ability and accomplishment,” Ted Kennedy said, “but something much greater in a group of friends, fellow musicians and a Boston community who fully accepted and embraced her for who she was, and would stand with her and protect her on every step of her life’s journey.”

_____