Kennedy Family Mourns Eunice Shriver

The Kennedy family mourns Eunice Kennedy Shriver who passed away this morning at Cape Cod Hospital.

The founder of the Special Olympics was 88 and the fifth of nine children born to Joseph and Rose Kennedy. The Kennedys’ are perhaps the most famous of all political families. Shriver was the sister of  a president and two senators.

 Senator Edward Kennedy, 77 and his sister Jean Kennedy Smith, 81, are the only two surviving siblings.

In an early morning statement, Sen. Kennedy said, “My earliest memory of Eunice is of a young girl with great humor,sharp wit, and a boundless passion to make a difference. She understood deeply the lesson our mother and father taught us–much is expected of those to which much has been given. Throughout her extraordinary life, she touched the lives of millions and for Eunice that was never enough.”

Eunice Shiver is survived by her husband, Sergent Shriver Jr., four sons, Robert, Timothy, Mark and Anthony Shriver. The couple also have a daughter, Maria, who is the wife of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Cause of death has not been released but Shriver had suffered strokes in the past.