Kyle Kennedy, the daughter of Michael Kennedy and one of Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy’s 34 grandchildren, has died at the age of 42.
She passed away on Sept. 21 at her Westwood, Mass., home, according to her obituary.
Kyle was a beloved educator, having been “blessed with a formidable intellect, dry wit, and beauty,” and will be “remembered for her devotion to her children, Conor, Josephine, and Declan, and her support for educational reform for disadvantaged children and for people living with disabilities.”
Following her time in college, Kyle joined Teach For America, spending two years teaching in the New York City public school system. That’s where she discovered her passion for teaching. Throughout her career, she was a “passionate advocate for more equitable elementary education and charter schooling, later working with technology companies focused on reforming and improving school curricula and as a coach for educators working with young students.”
She also had a passion for running, having competed in the 2019 Boston Marathon, where she managed to beat her father’s time by twenty minutes. She also had a love of art, animals, and travel.
Kyle suffered a severe spinal cord injury in 2020, which left her dealing with long-term paralysis, disability, and other medical challenges. Following the injury, she also became an advocate for living with disabilities, going on to testify at the Massachusetts State House.
She is survived by her 12-year-old son Conor and 10-year-old son Declan; her mother; brother Michael; sister Rory; and nieces and nephews McKie, Quinn, Jack, and Caleb. Kyle is predeceased by her father, Michael, who passed away in 1977, as well as her infant daughter, Josie, who was Conor’s twin, who passed away a few days after she was born.
Robert F. Kennedy’s Granddaughter Kyle Kennedy Dies at 42