Kyle Kennedy, granddaughter of Bobby and Ethel Kennedy, dies at 42

Kyle Kennedy, the granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, has died at the age of 42. The educator and disability rights advocate died at her home in Westwood, Massachusetts, on September 21, according to her obituary.

Her cause of death remains pending, the Westwood Town Clerk told PEOPLE.

Born on July 6, 1984, in Washington, D.C., Kyle was the daughter of Michael Kennedy, who died in 1997, and Victoria Denise Gifford. She was one of 34 grandchildren of the former US attorney general and his wife, Ethel.

Kennedy built a career in education, focusing on early childhood learning and educational reform for disadvantaged children and people with disabilities. After earning a history degree from Georgetown University, she completed a master's degree in early education at Pace University and a Master of Education in education policy and management at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.

She began her professional career in New York City as a teacher with Teach For America.

In August 2012, Kennedy married Liam Kerr in Boston. They welcomed twins, Conor and Josie, although their daughter died days after birth. The couple later had a second son, Declan. Her obituary identifies Kerr as her former husband.

Kennedy sustained a severe spinal cord injury in 2020 that resulted in long-term paralysis. Following the injury, she became an advocate for people with disabilities, speaking out about discrimination and barriers to healthcare access.

Her activism included testifying at a hearing at the Massachusetts State House concerning healthcare discrimination against people with disabilities.

Kennedy is survived by her sons, Conor and Declan, her mother, Victoria, her brother, Michael, and her sister, Rory. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

Her work in education and disability advocacy formed a significant part of her legacy, alongside her connection to the prominent Kennedy family.