On October 16, a memorial service was held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C., honoring the late Ethel Kennedy, widow of former U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Attending the service were three prominent Democratic figures: current President Joe Biden and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, all of whom delivered heartfelt tributes.

The memorial, aptly named the “Celebration of Life for Ethel Kennedy,” was closed to the public but saw a gathering of numerous political leaders alongside members of the Kennedy family.

Ethel Kennedy passed away on October 10 at the age of 96. She was the oldest living member of the Kennedy family, known for her tireless advocacy for human rights throughout her life.

In his tribute, President Obama remarked on the tragedies and heartbreak that filled Ethel’s life, emotions that extended beyond what most of us could handle. Former President Clinton described her as a beacon of enduring positivity. President Biden reflected on his early years in politics, recalling how Ethel was a steadfast presence during challenging times, encouraging him to persevere even when he considered stepping away from public service.

Other notable Democratic politicians attended the memorial, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Secretary of State and Presidential Climate Envoy John Kerry, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the latter referring to Ethel as a “national treasure.”

Martin Luther King Jr.’s son, Martin Luther King III, spoke on the close relationship between their two families, remembering how Robert Kennedy and Ethel came to comfort them following his father’s assassination. He expressed deep admiration for Ethel’s courage and dignity in the wake of her husband’s tragic death.

The service celebrated life rather than mourning death, featuring performances by renowned artists such as Kenny Chesney, Sting, and Stevie Wonder, who were invited to pay tribute through music.

Ethel’s grandchildren also took the stage, each offering heartfelt remembrances of their beloved matriarch.

Ethel suffered a stroke on October 3 while asleep and passed away a week later due to complications from the stroke. She was married to Robert Kennedy until his assassination in 1968, just five years after the assassination of his brother, President John F. Kennedy. Ethel gave birth to their eleventh child just six months after Robert’s death.

Following her husband’s assassination, Ethel founded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, which advocates for freedom of speech worldwide. She single-handedly raised their eleven children, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently ran as an independent candidate for president before withdrawing. Ethel also established the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, championing issues like gun control and human rights.