From the Boston Globe (with video), Boston Herald,  Associated Press and National Public Radio:

Thousand of mourners gathered at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church in Cape Cod Thursday to honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver, celebrating the Special Olympics founder as a passionate humanitarian.

At the six-hour public wake, Shriver’s five children – including Shriver’s daughter, Maria, and son-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger – expressed gratitude and listened to the stories of all who came to pay their respects. Guests included Special Olympians, Oprah Winfrey, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

Among the steady stream of mourners who flowed into church was Mike Rhodes, a 25-year-old mentally disabled man who left a handmade card for Shriver.

On it was written a simple message: “She taught us to stand tall.”

Shriver’s private invitation-only funeral Mass will be held today at St. Francis Xavier church in Hyannis, and vice president Joe Biden is expected to attend.

See also:

Eunice Shriver believed all deserved dignity, joy – Kansas City Star

One Special Olympian – New York Times

Biden to attend service for Eunice Kennedy Shriver – Associated Press

Earlier posts here.

(Loretta Claiborne and Maria Shriver, AP photo)

This entry was posted on Friday, August 14th, 2009 at 8:02 am and is filed under exercise/sports, intellectual/developmental disabilities, obits, Special Olympics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.