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Kennedy Sister Dies At 86
AP ^ | Friday, January 7, 2005 | LOLITA C. BALDOR

Posted on 01/07/2005 7:46:11 PM PST by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Front Page News; Miscellaneous; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: deadlib; drooler; goodriddance; kennedy; kennedyfamily; mentalhealth; obituary; retard; rosemarykennedy
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1 posted on 01/07/2005 7:46:11 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
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To: West Coast Conservative

Rest, Rosemary, rest. Your pain is gone.


2 posted on 01/07/2005 7:48:24 PM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, super sister of danged Miss Ology, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: West Coast Conservative

Another disgusting episode in the Kennedy saga.


3 posted on 01/07/2005 7:48:45 PM PST by ProudVet77 (Let the games begin - It's Friday)
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To: West Coast Conservative

May she rest in Peace.


4 posted on 01/07/2005 7:48:52 PM PST by Lurking in Kansas (what are you looking at?)
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To: West Coast Conservative
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.

5 posted on 01/07/2005 7:48:59 PM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: West Coast Conservative
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....

6 posted on 01/07/2005 7:49:21 PM PST by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: GVgirl

Typical AP....


7 posted on 01/07/2005 7:49:40 PM PST by Lurking in Kansas (what are you looking at?)
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To: West Coast Conservative

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


8 posted on 01/07/2005 7:50:29 PM PST by aberaussie
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To: West Coast Conservative
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.

9 posted on 01/07/2005 7:50:41 PM PST by Torie
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To: Lurking in Kansas

Aren't they miserable?


10 posted on 01/07/2005 7:50:42 PM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: West Coast Conservative

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


11 posted on 01/07/2005 7:50:45 PM PST by nuconvert (No More Axis of Evil by Christmas ! TLR)
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To: West Coast Conservative

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?


12 posted on 01/07/2005 7:51:04 PM PST by IncPen (Beware the fury of a patient man.)
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To: West Coast Conservative

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


13 posted on 01/07/2005 7:51:43 PM PST by Ciexyz (I use the term Blue Cities, not Blue States. PA is red except for Philly, Pgh & Erie)
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To: GVgirl
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.

14 posted on 01/07/2005 7:51:48 PM PST by andie74 (Proud Resident of Fly-Over Country)
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To: IncPen
I wonder if forced lobotomy counts as torture?

You wonder?

15 posted on 01/07/2005 7:52:00 PM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: GVgirl
Aren't they miserable?

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

16 posted on 01/07/2005 7:52:04 PM PST by Lurking in Kansas (what are you looking at?)
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To: West Coast Conservative
She was born in 1962?!
17 posted on 01/07/2005 7:52:16 PM PST by Cultural Jihad
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To: West Coast Conservative
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..

18 posted on 01/07/2005 7:52:20 PM PST by small voice in the wilderness (Quick, act casual. If they sense scorn and ridicule, they'll flee..)
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To: Izzy Dunne

...terribly written...


19 posted on 01/07/2005 7:52:21 PM PST by mystery-ak (Become a monthly donor)
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To: West Coast Conservative

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


20 posted on 01/07/2005 7:52:54 PM PST by GATECH ((It is what it is!))
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