Joan Kennedy, the mother of Brigantine resident Patrick Kennedy, died today. She was 89.
Since the death of Ethel Kennedy nearly one year ago, she had been the last remaining member of a generation of America’s most storied political families. She married a future U.S. Senator, Ted Kennedy, in 1958 and campaigned for her brother-in-law, John F. Kennedy, in the 1960 presidential election.
Kennedy was also involved in her husband’s U.S. Senate campaigns in 1962, 1964, 1970, and 1976, and his nearly successful challenge to incumbent Jimmy Carter in the 1980 Democratic presidential primaries. She was also active in the 1968 presidential campaign of her brother-in-law, Robert F. Kennedy. Joan and Ted Kennedy were divorced in 1982.
Her son, Patrick, represented Rhode Island in the U.S. House of Representatives for sixteen years before not seeking re-election in 2010. Her daughter-in-law, Amy Kennedy, was the Democratic nominee for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd district in 2020, running a strong race against Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis).
“Besides being a loving mother, talented musician, and instrumental partner to my father as he launched his successful political career, Mom was a power of example to millions of people with mental health conditions,” said Patrick Kennedy.
Another son, Edward M. Kennedy, Jr., served in the Connecticut State Senate from 2015 to 2019. She was predeceased by her daughter, Kara.
