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Educator and activist Kyle Kennedy has died. She was 42.
Kyle, daughter of Michael Kennedy and one of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy’s 34 grandchildren, passed away on Sept. 21 at her Westwood, Mass., home, according to her obituary .
Her death comes six years after she suffered a spinal cord injury which left her with long-term paralysis.
“The years that followed brought struggles but Kyle fought to maintain her dry wit and determination through it all, trying to be the best possible mother to her sons and caring for her two beloved, ill-behaved Wheaten terriers,” her obit read.
“She also began to advocate for people living with disabilities, including testifying at the Massachusetts state house in a hearing on discrimination in disabled health care.”
The cause and manner of her death remains unknown.
She was remembered at a private funeral.
Passion for education
Kennedy was born on July 6, 1984, in Washington, D.C to parents Michael (who died in 1997) and Victoria Denise Gifford. (Victoria is the daughter of Frank Gifford and Maxine Avis Ewart, and stepdaughter of Kathie Lee Gifford.)
She earned a history degree at Georgetown University, then a Master of Science in Early Education from Pace University and a Master of Education in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Her teaching career began in New York City, after which she became “a passionate advocate” for more equitable elementary education, with a focus on disadvantaged children and people with disabilities.
Kennedy was predeceased by her father, Michael, who died in 1997 in a tragic skiing accident.
She also lost her infant daughter, Josie, the twin sister of her 12-year-old son Conor, who tragically died “after a few short days of life.”
Along with Conor, Kennedy is survived by her other son, 10-year-old Declan, whom she shares with former husband Liam Kerr, her mother Victoria, brother Michael and sister Rory.