Eunice Kennedy Shriver Dies In Hyannis

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died early on Tuesday morning at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts, surrounded by her family. She was 88-years-old.

Near her at the time of her death were her husband, R. Sargent Shriver; her five children: Robert "Bobby" Sargent Shriver III, Maria Owings Shriver, Timothy Perry Shriver, Mark Kennedy Shriver and Anthony Paul Kennedy Shriver, as well as their spouses and all of her nineteen grandchildren.

The younger sister of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Shriver was the founder and honorary chairperson of Special Olympics, and executive vice president of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.

She had been a leader in the worldwide movement to improve and to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities for more than six decades.

Born in Brookline, Massachusetts on July 10, 1921, she was the fifth of nine children of Joseph P. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University along with numerous other honors and awards.

In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI bestowed upon her the title of Dame of the papal Order of St. Gregory the Great.

Shriver is survived by her husband of 56 years, R. Sargent Shriver Jr.; her five children; and her nineteen grandchildren, who range in age from two months to 22 years.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen T.D., expressed his sadness at the news, saying that "She was a woman of great courage and an inspiration to all. She worked tirelessly in her crusade to enhance the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.

"As a member of the Kennedy clan, Eunice always had a special place in her heart for Ireland and a love of our country and its people.

"Eunice of course founded the Special Olympics and the hosting of the event in Ireland in 2003 is a cherished memory of people here and all across the world. Through the Olympics and her many other endeavours she changed the lives of so many disadvantaged people for the better.

"Eunice's legacy is that the eyes she opened, the causes she highlighted and the changes she brought about will continue in her name. Her inspiration and drive will live on - in athletes, in volunteers, in parents and in all who knew her.

"I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to her husband, Robert and their children Robert, Maria, Timothy, Mark and Anthony.

"Ar Dheis De go raibh a hanam dílis."