Over the past 10 months, two members of the Kennedy family have passed away prematurely. On December 30, at the age of 35, Tatiana Schlossberg - granddaughter of former President John F. Kennedy - died from leukemia. And this Tuesday, the death of Kyle Francis Kennedy, one of the granddaughters of Robert F. Kennedy, at the age of 42, has been confirmed.
According to sources like People and TMZ, the death occurred on September 21 at Kyle's residence in Westwood, Massachusetts. However, her passing was not made public until this Tuesday, when the obituary published by Burke Funeral Homes was released. The farewell ceremony was held privately, highlighting that the young woman was deeply cherished by her family and friends.
"Kyle Francis was born in Washington D.C., but spent most of her life in Massachusetts, where she pursued a career in early childhood education. Endowed with extraordinary intelligence, a witty sense of humor, and great beauty, she will be remembered for her dedication to her children Conor, Josephine, and Declan, as well as her advocacy for educational reforms benefiting underprivileged children and individuals with disabilities," the obituary states.
Her academic, university, and professional background is also highlighted. "Kyle spent much of her childhood and youth in Cohasset, Massachusetts. Later, she attended Milton Academy for high school, where she excelled academically and received several awards for her Latin proficiency. She then studied History at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and during her university years, she spent a semester in Florence, Italy. An experience that deeply impacted her," it explains.
Upon her return to the U.S., Kennedy came back with "a great passion for Tuscan Renaissance art" and "a skill for preparing homemade pasta dishes that she cherished throughout her life." However, she pursued her true passion, early childhood education, and obtained a master's degree in this field from Pace University and another in Policy and Educational Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
"After college, Kyle joined Teach for America and worked for two years as a teacher in the New York public school system. That experience marked the beginning of her professional journey in the educational field. Over time, she became a staunch advocate for more equitable primary education and charter schools, publicly funded but independently managed institutions," the obituary affirms.
Additionally, Kennedy collaborated with technology companies focused on reforming and enhancing curricula, as well as advising teachers working with young children. However, what her loved ones most emphasize is her outgoing nature and her commitment to causes she cared about.
"Kyle was naturally quick and highly competitive. Throughout her life, she was known to outpace her peers in running on playgrounds, football fields, and lacrosse fields. In quieter moments, she displayed the same determination to win Trivial Pursuit games or card games. As an adult, she developed a passion for long-distance running and in 2019, she completed the Boston Marathon under pouring rain, surpassing her own father's time by 20 minutes," it is noted.
"Kyle loved art, animals, and travel. In some photographs, she is seen bundled up in a feather jacket inside a Scandinavian ice cave, enjoying the sun on the beaches of Cape Cod and Nantucket, or smiling alongside a group of mountain gorillas in Uganda," it mentions.
However, in 2020, Kyle suffered a severe spinal cord injury that altered her life. An episode that resulted in prolonged paralysis, a disability, and other medical issues, making her last years challenging. Nevertheless, Kennedy fought to maintain her characteristic witty humor and determination.
"Despite everything, Kyle strived to be the best mother possible to her children and to care for her two beloved and mischievous Wheaten Terrier dogs. She also began advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities and even testified before the Massachusetts Parliament in a hearing on discrimination against individuals with disabilities in healthcare," the obituary reports.
Similarly, Burke Funeral Homes mentions that before her passing, Kennedy often remembered her father - named Michael - and her daughter Josie, who died a few days after birth. "Today, Kyle leaves behind her children Conor, 12, and Declan, 10, as well as her ex-husband Liam, her mother Victoria, her brothers Michael and Rory, her sisters-in-law Mary and David, and her nephews McKie, Quinn, Jack, and Caleb," the statement concludes.