Special Olympics Founder Eunice Shriver Dies at the age of 88

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, President John F. Kennedy's sister and Special Olympics founder, has died at age 88. May she rest in peace.

Via CNS:

Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died this morning, was "a woman of ardent faith and generous public service" in her work with the developmentally and physically disabled, said Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Olympics In a letter to Shriver's family released to the press and posted on the Special Olympics Web site, the archbishop conveyed the condolences of Pope Benedict XVI.

He said the pope "unites himself spiritually with each of you at this difficult time, holding close to his heart Eunice as she is called home to eternal life and trusting in the words of sacred Scripture: 'What will separate us from the love of Christ?'"

News reports said the 88-year-old Shriver, sister of the late President John F. Kennedy, died in a hospital in Barnstable, on Cape Cod. At her side were her husband, R. Sargent Shriver, the couple's five children and their spouses, and the Shrivers' 19 grandchildren. She had been in failing health after suffering a couple of strokes and had been hospitalized recently.

Funeral arrangements were pending. According to the Shriver family, areas where people could pay tribute to her were being set up at the Special Olympics headquarters in Washington, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, and the Kennedy museum in Hyannis, Mass.

A statement from the family said she was the light of their lives as mother, wife, grandmother, sister and aunt "who taught us by example and with passion what it means to live a faith-driven life of love and service to others."

It noted her deep devotion to Mary. "May she be welcomed now by Mary to the joy and love of life everlasting in the certain truth that her love and spirit will live forever," it said. Entire story

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