Kennedy Sister Dies At 86

AP ^ | Friday, January 7, 2005 | LOLITA C. BALDOR

[West Coast Conservative]

WASHINGTON -- Rosemary Kennedy, a sister of John F. Kennedy who was born mentally retarded and lived most of her life in an institution after undergoing a lobotomy, died Friday, her family said. She was 86.

Kennedy, the inspiration for the Special Olympics spearheaded by the Kennedy family, had been a patient since 1949 at St. Coletta School for Exceptional Children in Jefferson, Wis. She was the third child and first daughter of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, born a year after her brother became president.

In 1941, Joseph Kennedy, worried his daughter's mild mental retardation would lead her into situations that could damage the family's reputation, arranged for Rosemary to have a lobotomy. She was 23.

"Rosemary was a woman, and there was a dread fear of pregnancy, disease and disgrace," author Laurence Leamer wrote in his book "The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family." He wrote that Rosemary, whose retardation possibly stemmed from brain damage at birth, had taken to sneaking out of the convent where she was staying at the time.

[Miss Behave]

Rest, Rosemary, rest. Your pain is gone.

[ProudVet77]

Another disgusting episode in the Kennedy saga.

[Lurking in Kansas]

May she rest in Peace.

[GVnana]

born a year after her brother became president.
In 1941, Joseph Kennedy, worried his daughter's mild mental retardation would lead her into situations that could damage the family's reputation, arranged for Rosemary to have a lobotomy. She was 23.

Kennedy became president in 1960.

[Izzy Dunne]

Kennedy, the inspiration for the Special Olympics spearheaded by the Kennedy family, had been a patient since 1949 at St. Coletta School for Exceptional Children in Jefferson, Wis. She was the third child and first daughter of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, born a year after her brother became president.

Hmmm. Kennedy became president in 1961. She was "born a year later", but was a "patient since 1949".

I think I'm confused, but I'm not really sure....

[Lurking in Kansas]

Typical AP....

[aberaussie]

She was 86...born a year after her brother became president?? Did I read that correctly? It doesn't add up.

[Torie]

arranged for Rosemary to have a lobotomy.

One of the long list of things Old Joe has had an opportunity to repent about, either later within his allotted time on this mortal coil, or thereafter.

[GVnana]

Aren't they miserable?

[nuconvert]

I think there's a math problem here...................

[IncPen]

A fitting time to be reminded about how the Kennedys like their women.

Some folks believe Old Joe hacked her brain just because she was uppity.

And to think just yesterday Teddy was talking about water torture.

I wonder if forced lobotomy counts as torture?

[Ciexyz]

Back then, they used to sterilize the mentally retarded. How tragic that Rosemary was given a lobotomy for the family's convenience.

[andie74]

In 1941, Joseph Kennedy, worried his daughter's mild mental retardation would lead her into situations that could damage the family's reputation, arranged for Rosemary to have a lobotomy. She was 23. Kennedy became president in 1960.

Beat me to it. Apparently, the author is a product of the public education system...now she could have had the lobotomy a year after her brother became president, but even with that, the numbers don't add up.

[GVnana]

I wonder if forced lobotomy counts as torture?

You wonder?

[Lurking in Kansas]

Aren't they miserable?

I'm surprised they didn't blame Bush...

[Cultural Jihad]

She was the third child and first daughter of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, born a year after her brother became president.

She was born in 1962?!

[small voice in the wilderness]

In 1941, Joseph Kennedy, worried his daughter's mild mental retardation would lead her into situations that could damage the family's reputation

How ironic that it was in fact Teddy that damaged the family's reputation. They didn't see THAT one coming..

[mystery-ak]

...terribly written...

[GATECH]

This is sad and it shows the ultimate disgrace of a power hungry parent with now room for compassion.