Around 200 attendees, including notable members of the Kennedy family, gathered at a Catholic church on Cape Cod this past Monday to honor the life of Ethel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and a significant figure within the family’s political legacy.

Mrs. Kennedy, whose husband was assassinated in 1968 in Los Angeles, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96 due to complications from a stroke earlier this month.

The service, held at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, Massachusetts, saw the presence of several politicians, such as Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, along with members of the Kennedy family. Among them were Mrs. Kennedy’s grandson, former U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy III, and her son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ended his presidential campaign in August and endorsed former President Donald J. Trump. His wife, actress Cheryl Hines, was also present.

Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo, daughter of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Kerry Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy’s daughter, were among the speakers. Governor Cuomo was also in attendance.

Mrs. Kennedy’s wooden casket, adorned with white flowers, was carried down the church aisle by her relatives. The church itself had been a significant place for the Kennedy family, hosting many of their religious ceremonies over the years.

A family spokesperson has not yet provided details on the time or location of Mrs. Kennedy’s burial.

“From all walks of life, she showed us that whenever we see injustice or someone suffering, we must always step in,” her son, Joseph Kennedy II, a former U.S. representative, said following the funeral.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s choice to support Mr. Trump and his earlier run against President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris created tension in the Kennedy family, which has long been firmly Democratic. Some relatives publicly supported President Biden in response.

During his eulogy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recalled his mother as a gifted athlete. He mentioned she was ranked among the top amateur female tennis players in the world and could have competed in the U.S. Olympic equestrian team had women been allowed to participate in the Games at the time.

Born in Chicago in 1928, Ethel Skakel was raised in a Catholic household. Her large family shared similarities with the Kennedys in both size and liveliness. Her father, a successful businessman, made his fortune selling coal residue discarded by major mining companies, eventually rivaling the Kennedys in wealth. She relocated to the East Coast in her youth as her father’s business expanded.

While attending Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, Ethel became roommates with Jean Kennedy, the younger sister of her future husband, Robert F. Kennedy. The two met formally during a ski trip to Mont Tremblant in Quebec and were married on June 17, 1950. Together, they had 11 children, and Ethel became known for her deep passion for politics, even campaigning while pregnant. Many considered her to be “more Kennedy than the Kennedys.”

Following the tragic assassination of her husband, Mrs. Kennedy earned admiration for her poise and strength, dedicating the remainder of her life to raising her children and continuing to champion the causes her husband cared about.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reflected on how his mother’s vibrant personality perfectly balanced his father’s more reserved and shy nature, providing him with essential support.

After the service, Joseph Kennedy II expressed his hope that his parents were reunited in heaven. “It brings me peace, because if she hasn’t made it to heaven, then none of us stand a chance,” he said.