Ted Kennedy Dies

Posted August 26, 2009, 5:04 am in Living


Sen. Ted Kennedy died shortly before midnight Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., at age 77. The man known as the "Lion of the Senate" had fought a year-long battle with brain cancer.

"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the Kennedy family said in a statement. "He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it."

Kennedy championed health care reform, working wages and equal rights in his storied career. In August, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian honor -- by President Obama. His daughter, Kara Kennedy, accepted the award on his behalf.

A White House official said President Obama, on holiday in Martha's Vineyard, was notified of Kennedy's death at just after 2 a.m., and spoke with Kennedy's widow Vicki 25 minutes later. "Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy," Obama said in a statement released early Wednesday morning.  "An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time. For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts," Obama said.

Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May 2008 and underwent a successful brain surgery soon after that. But his health continued to deteriorate, and Kennedy suffered a seizure while attending the luncheon following President Obama's inauguration.

Observers figured the end was near when Kennedy did not attend the recent funeral of his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died at 88. Kennedy's memoir is set for publication next month.

Kennedy, the third longest-serving senator in United States history,  took over his brother John's Massachusetts Senate seat in 1962.

Early Wednesday morning the family issued the following statement:

Statement from the Kennedy Family:
Edward M. Kennedy -- the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply -- died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. 

We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.

Funeral plans were pending.


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