Iron Rose: The Story of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and Her Dynasty

Introduction

It was 5:30 P.M. on January 22,1995, and the reporters who were gathered in the dusk outside the Kennedy compound were bewildered. Each and every one of them understood they were witnessing a sorrowful event, but few could fully comprehend the enormity of the story they had been assigned to cover. Rose Kennedy was dying, and as she was 104 this was not a great surprise. But no one in the quiet crowd was prepared for the tremendous sadness surrounding Rose’s family, a clan renowned for its bravery. Many members of the press sent out on this cold afternoon had been to the compound often before. But it had never been like this.

Most of those gathered were too young to appreciate the significance of Rose Kennedy, and the contribution she had made to the political formation of America although they had diligently reported news of her famous children and grandchildren. Now, for the first time, a stark reality hit home: Without Rose there would have been no Camelot, and twentieth-century America would have looked far different than it does today. Inside the compound, which stood silhouetted against the gloomy sky, each of the Kennedy family knew this, too. The woman who had inspired a dynasty was facing death.

Those gathered couldn’t help but wonder if Rose’s extraordinary life was, as we are led to believe in life’s closing moments, now flashing before her. Did she reflect with pride on producing a son who became President … then suffer again the anguish of losing him to an assassin’s bullet? Did she think of Bobby, and how he met his fate? Did she reflect on her girlhood in Boston, her Irish ancestors, her stormy, sometimes bitter marriage to Joe Kennedy? Perhaps in these last minutes of fading light, Rose thought only of her family en masse, an unstoppable force that she had molded, pushed, and willed to become a major part of American history.

This is the story of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, a legend known to millions but understood by few. It is an attempt to reveal the real Rose, a woman of courage in the face of disaster, a pillar of strength during times of our nation’s deepest despair.

Part One

1890-1944:

Building a Dynasty

1

A Farewell in Boston: Rose Kennedy Dies at 104

Fight the good fight.

It had been Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy’s motto, and on this day 104 years after her birth, it was fair to say she had lived up to it. In spite of the tragedies, Rose had fought the good fight, she had kept the faith, and having lived until the age of 104 Rose had finished the course.

Rose Kennedy spent her last hours on earth surrounded, as always, by her family. As they gathered at her bedside, they began to accept the inevitable: The woman who had been their constant source of strength, who had led them through glorious triumphs and held them together through the most bitter of winters, was gone. She rested now in the palm of God, along with many other Kennedys and Fitzgeralds.

Rose had weathered many severe storms in her lifetime, but even she could not overcome old age. Finally, the innocent deception the Kennedys had maintained for Rose over the past seven years was over, and nature had taken its course. For while the family had dutifully tried to keep things as normal as possible for Rose by dressing her, having her hair done once a week, and providing round-the-clock nursing care, in truth Rose had become a skeleton of her formidable former self. Unable to walk or to speak coherently, seeing out of only one eye, Rose found herself in a world that had dwindled to a single room within the Kennedy compound.

Home for Rose had become her ocean-facing, rose-colored bedroom, where she rested on a hospital bed equipped with rubber-clad safety bars. There she would pass the hours, interrupted occasionally by visits from family members. At times she would be taken downstairs in her wheelchair to sit in the sunroom or, when weather permitted, on the porch to stare at the ocean. Aside from photographs of her beloved children and their progeny, there was little to remind a visitor of the contribution this astonishing woman had made to twentieth-century America. Even Rose’s most basic requirements for living had become greatly diminished. Sadly, she had been unable to eat solid food since the end of 1980s. Instead, the matriarch who had once dined with the King and Queen of England and entertained at the White House was forced to spend the last six years of her life being fed via a tube to her stomach.

As her son Teddy, his wife, Vicki, and Rose’s daughters—Eunice, Jean, and Pat—wept around her hospital bed, knowing what their mother’s life had been reduced to in the end, they could console one another with the knowledge that they had all been dutiful children. Now Rose was moving on to a more peaceful place, where she would once again see her beloved husband, Joseph, and her three sons, Joe Jr., Jack, and Bobby, whom she had raised and watched as they were taken from her one by one. In heaven, too, would be her daughter Kathleen and her grandson David, along with the family’s most recent loss, dearest Jackie, of whose death Rose was unaware.

The news of Jackie’s death, which had transfixed the world in May 1994, never made it to the famous compound in Hyannis Port. Rose herself was ill as Jackie lay dying in New York. Although Rose recovered, she remained fragile. The family, fearing it might upset Rose, never passed on the news. It was a wise decision. There seemed little sense in adding unnecessary grief to Rose’s final days.

Rose died only months after Jackie, but there was less pain for Rose and much more time to prepare. To a certain extent, at the age of 104 of course, the Kennedy family had been expecting it. Yet when the end came there was still a sense of shock, for they had nearly lost Rose many times before. Miraculously, she had always pulled through, and they hoped she would this time too. In the last few weeks of her life, however, Rose had failed badly, and the family was forced to face the inevitable. They wanted to make Rose as comfortable as possible, and during this period she spent her few waking hours watching carefully edited videotapes about her family. The triumphs and victories were all there, but none of the tragedy. There were no assassinations, no grandchildren dying from drugs or on trial for rape, no hint of Chappaquiddick and the other scandals that have plagued her last remaining son. Relinquishing the painful memories, she could truly rest in peace.

Just days before she died, Roman Catholic priests, who were regular callers to the Kennedy compound, came to give Rose her last rites. They arrived carrying a small box that held the oil and other necessities for the ritual, entered Rose’s beautiful pink bedroom, and closed the door. Rose was already unconscious. Earlier, Teddy had felt compelled to make a heartbreaking decision, but in his view a humane one. People close to the Senator claim he had given orders that when his mother started to fail, there was to be no life support, no resuscitation.

It was not only at the compound that Rose Kennedy’s death was felt. On this cold Sunday night a profound sadness seemed to shroud the whole of Cape Cod’s southern shore and, by morning, to envelop the entire nation. The Kennedys’ love affair with Hyannis Port began in 1925, when Joseph Sr. had rented what would become the Kennedy compound. Later in 1928 he bought the home for $25,000. On this day, seven decades later, rain poured from the skies above the tiny village, suggesting that even the gods knew this area would never be the same again.

Adding yet more sadness to the occasion were inescapable reminders of Rose in every corner of the house: the portrait of Joe Sr. that hung above the fireplace, the porcelain pieces scattered around the living room, the hundreds of photographs she proudly displayed of her family. This home was Rose Kennedy’s pride and joy, and far more meaningful than bricks and mortar could imply. Rose had made it functional for her children, a safe haven from the stresses of political campaigns. In more recent years it became a place for younger members of the clan to gather and get to know one another. But above all it was the venue for the most important day of the year, July 22. That was Rose’s birthday, the day when no matter what, the whole family would gather to pay their respects to the woman who had made it all possible. Tonight there was not a dry eye in this lavish home. Privately each Kennedy must have recalled Rose’s last birthday party, and tried to imagine life without that yearly ritual. How would they all feel next July 22?

Teddy’s face, wracked with grief, painted a picture that spoke for the whole family. It was almost impossible for his sisters Eunice, Jean, and Pat to look at him without crying. Yet while Teddy’s sadness was expected, no one guessed that Pat Lawford would take the news as badly as she did. Two days later at the funeral, when scheduled to speak along with the other family members, the dutiful daughter could not bring herself to do so. She had lost her mother, and at this time in her life that cross was very painful to bear.

To each of her children Rose had meant so many different things, but to all of them she had meant so much. Wandering around the compound those final days, lost in thoughts and memories, fighting the tears or giving in to the sorrow, each family member suffered a new kind of anguish. As one insider described it, The compound had been a place for all sorts of occasions, but Rose had always been there as a pillar of strength. This made this time all the sadder.

It was a heart-rending end to a very painful week, which had begun when Senator Kennedy received word that his mother was experiencing breathing problems. The priest was called to administer the last rites. Despite her family’s worst fears, Rose, who had proven so many times before to be superhuman, strong as an ox, appeared to rally over the next few days. She seemed to be faring so well that Teddy felt he could return to his work in Washington. Soon, though, his mother’s health deteriorated. In many ways the sad turn of events was made worse by the absence of Rose’s dear grandson, John Jr. Having been advised that his Grandmother’s condition was improving, John postponed a visit to the compound. In the end he arrived only a short time before Grandma was pronounced dead.

Another member of the clan was noticeably absent, and had been for many years: Rose’s daughter Rosemary. Her residence was in Wisconsin at St. Coletta’s, a home for the mentally retarded. Here she lived a peaceful existence in her own quarters, known as the Kennedy cottage. Of all the things that had torn at Rose Kennedy’s heart throughout her lifetime—the loss of her husband, the deaths of her sons and daughter—Rosemary’s mental retardation had been the hardest for her to come to accept. It made no sense in a family of such high achievement and privilege that one of its members would find everyday activities nearly impossible to handle. Yet Rose and all of the Kennedy clan had always tried to make sure Rosemary was included in family activities, and that she knew she was loved. On this night, Teddy dreaded breaking the news of her mother’s death to Rosemary over the telephone.

Michael Kennedy, Bobby’s son, was also absent. In keeping with an unfortunate tradition established by some members of this privileged family, Michael was battling an alcohol problem and had checked into a rehabilitation center just hours before. He too would be left remembering Grandma in happier times, as the lady who inspired them all.

It was 7 P.M. on January 22, 1995 when Senator Edward Kennedy shared the news of his mother’s death with the world. The announcement was brief but spoke volumes about the depth of his family’s love for Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy: Mother passed away peacefully today. She had a long and extraordinary life, and we loved her deeply. To all of us in the Kennedy and Fitzgerald families, she was the most beautiful rose of all.

Rose was matriarch to more than a celebrated family of politicians. In a sense, she became the nation’s matriarch as well. She played a vital role in shaping the political history of modern America, and it was fitting that some of the world’s most powerful and famous people came to pay homage to her in her final hours. On this night in the nation’s capital, and especially in the Clinton White House, there was a sense of profound sadness and loss. Very few Americans have endured as much personal sacrifice as Rose Kennedy, President Clinton said. She played an extraordinary role in the life of an extraordinary family.

Back in Hyannis, locals spent the evening reflecting on the loss of their dear neighbor, a woman they had turned to for comfort during times of tragedy and uncertainty. Meanwhile, at the local hotel, the Tara, members of the media began to arrive. The next morning they would be up bright and early to get a glimpse of a family in grief. As the world came to terms with the news of her death, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was prepared for her next journey. At the compound that night she was dressed in her favorite rose-colored outfit, with appropriate matching jewelry and her rosary. It was time for her loved ones to say good-bye. The lid of her casket was closed and would remain that way for the following day’s wake.

Monday, January 23, was a day of sorrow and reflection for all those gathered at the compound. Senator Kennedy spent much of his time making arrangements for the funeral, while John Kennedy Jr. got through this sad period by walking along the beach with his dog, Sam. From time to time throughout the day, members of the family could be spotted making their way along the wooden walk through the dunes to the beachfront, as they had done so often during happier family gatherings.

The compound at Hyannis Port had played a pivotal role in the history of the family. It was here that the clan learned John had been elected President in 1960. The compound had been the Kennedys’ personal campaign headquarters, as well as a place for them to unwind and enjoy such pursuits as touch football and sailing—all the while honing the family image. But the house also resonated with painful memories. It was here that Jacqueline Kennedy had mourned the death of her infant son, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy. It was also here that in late November 1963 the Kennedy family grieved. That Thanksgiving, just days after the President’s assassination, was the saddest day the family had ever known. During future times of sorrow, that occasion would never be far from anyone’s mind. And so in mourning Rose, members of the Kennedy clan did what they had learned so well from sad experience: they comforted one another. Dozens of family members came to the compound at the end of Merchant Street to offer their prayers next to the casket. The mood was reflective, recalled one insider, a time to prepare for the funeral and choose the readings and music that Mrs. Kennedy would have liked.

Even the local police chief, Neil Nightingale, appeared to shed a tear as he looked onto the house from his security headquarters at the top of the street, 250 yards away. He had witnessed many sorrowful moments here, and a number of happy ones, too. As always, he was joined by members of the media. There was the usual contingent of paparazzi, their cameras focused on John Jr. At one point a photographer was seen showing another media member the last photo taken of Rose on her deathbed. Even in death, there would be little peace for this much chronicled family. It was hardly surprising that the Kennedys often guarded their privacy fiercely.

Rose’s wake was held in the rambling house by the sea. It was as private as any other Kennedy family occasion. No fewer than three priests from Our Lady of Victory officiated over the Roman Catholic Mass, which seemed appropriate for the woman whom many in the room felt was the most remarkable Catholic they had ever known. This last farewell to Rose was held in two parts, one in the afternoon, another in the evening, and visitors were allowed in by invitation only. Among those invited were many of the registered nurses who had helped care for Rose during the last difficult years of her life. These devoted people had played a vital role in keeping her alive by providing round-the-clock care from the time of her stroke in 1984, and the family wanted to make sure each of them had a chance to say good-bye.

Many of the assembled felt a special sympathy for John Kennedy Jr. and his sister, Caroline. During other times of grief Jacqueline had always been there to protect them, to buffer them from too much pain. Now Rose’s two cherished grandchildren had to lean on each other. In many ways it seemed unfair that in their young lifetimes they had been forced to say good-bye to so many people they loved. But self-pity had never been in their repertoire. They learned at an early age that there was a high price to pay for being a Kennedy. It was a lesson Grandma had taught them: To those to whom much is given, much is expected.

Monday, January 23rd 1995 had been a day for reflection. As each family awoke to watch the snow fall on Tuesday morning, they braced themselves for the final farewell to Rose. Today she would make her