Sen. Ted Kennedy | 08/26/2009 8:50 am

Sen. Edward Kennedy Dies at Age of 77

After a year-long battle with brain cancer, ‘the lion of the Senate’ and an American political icon dies; family calls him the ‘irreplaceable center of our family’

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

We woke up today to learn of the loss of a great American. Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy, known as "the lion of the Senate," has died at the age of 77 after a battle with brain cancer. He died last night at his home in Cape Cod, MA.

"We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the family said in the statement. "We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all."

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Click below to read our Contributors reflections on Ted Kennedy:

Mary Wells: ‘I Adored Ted’

Liz Smith: Remembering Two Great Lions

Ted Kennedy: Fan of Universal Health Care and Compromise, by Liz Peek

He Wasn’t ‘Just’ Ted Kennedy, by Joan Juliet Buck

Margo Howard: ‘Here’s to You, Teddy’

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President Barack Obama said of the late Democrat, "An important chapter in our history has come to an end … Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."

Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle reacted with great sadness to today’s news, yet also with admiration for a man known for fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, whether it be on health care or other issues. From The Boston Globe:

He became a Democratic titan of Washington who fought for the less fortunate, who crafted unlikely deals with conservative Republicans and who ceaselessly sought support for universal health coverage. ‘Teddy,’ as he was known to intimates, constituents and even his fiercest enemies, was an unwavering symbol to the left and the right — the former for his unapologetic embrace of liberalism, and latter for his value as a political target.

USA Today has a story about how both of Kennedy’s wives, Joan and, later, Vicki, stood by his side throughout his political career.

The senator’s death comes less than two weeks after his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, died. Two of Ted Kennedy’s brothers, John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, were assassinated, and another brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., was killed in 1944 on a World War II bombing mission. His nephew, John F. Kennedy Jr., died ten years ago in a tragic plane crash.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family as they endure this difficult time. The late senator will be immensely missed on Capitol Hill and beyond.

97 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Thank you for that, Rocky. I have always loved that line from Tennyson. It’s from his long narrative poem, "Ulysses."

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 08/26/2009 5:33 pm

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I grew up watching the Kennedys since I was 10 years old. I grew up in the South, I used to cut out news paper clippings of the Kennedy because I admired and loved the family. This was a great man! I do not know what drove each member of the Kennedy family to find a cause and fight to make changes. I will miss him.

By Thelma Leopold on 08/26/2009 2:24 pm

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I also grew up in the south among right wing christian conservatives. However, the Kennedys always "spoke" to me, to my inner voice, to my soul. Through them I realized that a person with great ideas, great vision and great accomplishments could be weak in some areas of their lives. I hope that knowledge gave me some wisdom and compassion for others’ faults and weaknesses.

I will miss Senator Ted Kennedy very much..He suffered a lot in life , endured, and still gave many of us hope.

By Dab-a- do on 08/26/2009 2:53 pm

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Dab: I love the fact that the Irish nourished your southern soul! And learned that even the great have clay feet. You sound like someone I’d be honored to know.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 08/26/2009 6:00 pm

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Thank you, Phyllis.

By Dab-a- do on 08/26/2009 6:52 pm

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I grew up in Massachusetts & President Kennedy was the Senator before he became Presaident. My parents & sister still live there & were proud to have both Kennedy men serve them as their senators.

One of the memories I have of Senator Ted Kennedy is that following his plane crash in Western Massachusetts in 1964 where he injured his back, he or his family chose to have several of the flower, fruit deliveries he received sent to a camp that I worked at for children with Cerebal Palsey.

Senator Kennedy worked hard on behalf of those who were less fortunate of him. It didn’t matter to him whether they were black or white, mentally disabled or mentally ill, poor or rich. He worked so hard to enable each & every one of us with the same rights that we all deserve. ALL Americans owe him a big thank you for the opportunities he made possible for us.

Patti

By PATTI DICKEN on 08/26/2009 4:46 pm

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That When Health Care is a Bill, That it will BE called The Kennedy Bill…And So It Is….

By Jennifer Dooley on 08/26/2009 4:54 pm

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"The Kennedy Bill " : that has a lovely ring to it.

By macwoof woof on 08/26/2009 7:31 pm

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My heartfelt condolences to the Kennedy family for both of their recent losses. Two very special members of their family and the American family are gone but will never be forgotten…

By Lena B on 08/26/2009 5:00 pm

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He was truly a lion. What a sad week for the Kennedy clan: Eunice and Ted gone. Deepest sympathies. So hard to say goodbye to the ones in this life who - perhaps flawed and imperfect as we all are - still forged ahead and made a difference.

By Susan Crawford on 08/26/2009 5:34 pm

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It is a sad day for America, the passing of the last of the Kennedy brothers. Senator Kennedy was a compassionate man, his good works for the poor and middle class in our country is a well known fact. I send my sympathy to his family and friends, he was a good man.

By Mel Berg on 08/26/2009 5:49 pm

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I agree Mel, I believe he atoned for his mistake by making his life compassionate for people and by helping them. No matter the mistakes, no matter how grave they are, we all have the ability to atone and I truly believe this man did with his life. He was a good man.

By F P on 08/26/2009 6:47 pm

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A man of triumphs and tragedies, but one who was admired by many, and, even by his foes. His health care goal was to reduce health care costs, assure quality care and provide affordable health care choices, no matter what the end product health care product was. This same goal is something all Americans should hope for and reach for.

His Senate service should be appreciated with grace, his accomplishments honored and noted with flair and, now, at the time of his death, be allowed to be remembered with his dignity intact. Rest in Peace Edward "Teddy" Moore Kennedy.

By Rainbow Power on 08/26/2009 7:03 pm