Governor Patrick: Eunice Kennedy Shriver a ‘champion for human dignity'

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Boston, Mass.) – Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away this morning at the age of 88. She leaves behind a lasting legacy, and is being fondly remembered by people from all walks of life, including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Statement from Gov. Patrick reads: “Eunice Shriver was a champion for people with intellectual disabilities and for human dignity. She embodied the Kennedy family’s proud tradition of public service, and with tireless advocacy and unwavering compassion, forever changed millions of people’s lives for the better. Our hearts go out to her family.” NECN reporter Greg Wayland takes a look back at the life of Kennedy Shriver. Click here to watch. At the John F Kennedy Library in Boston, two books of condolence now sit out along with pictures of the President’s sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Visitors from across the country stopped by to sign it. Some here learning of the news for the first time. Others, like Olivia Walsh and her family, made a special trip. Olivia Walsh, Westwood MA “Kind of felt compelled to come here today and sign the condolence book, she was just a wonderful lady.” The words written here were simple but profound. They called her a “humanitarian”, a “leader.” One woman wrote, “Our daughter now looks forward to a beautiful life because of you.” MaryRae Bragg, Iowa ” The kind of work she did was groundbreaking. It made everyone in America aware of the needs of disabled people… she was an inspiration to all of us.” Andrea Lang, San Francisco “Just brought special education out in the open for these wonderful children and gave them Special Olympics and what better way to show the world how capable they are.” Earlier in Winthrop, Governor Deval Patrick also talked about a woman he had met many times, who he admired for her work with Camp Shriver and the Special Olympics. Governor Deval Patrick (D) Massachusetts “Well of course it’s very sad, but what a wonderful champion of people with intellectual disabilities and for human dignity and another example of extraordinary service in a family with a more than distinguished record.” At the Kennedy Library, a tribute film played throughout the day of her five children talking about their mother. The archives here are full of old family videos and pictures from her long life. Another of the Kennedy family now gone. And so many here are mourning her loss. Antonia Debem Lynn MA “She is in my heart and in my prayers. That’s why I came today, to honor her.”