Anthony Shriver leads a family sailing trip after Saoirse’s funeral

Anthony Shriver led a sailing trip at the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts on Monday for grieving family members after the funeral for Saoirse Kennedy Hill.

The 22-year-old granddaughter of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy was pronounced dead in hospital on Thursday following a suspected drug overdose at the home of her grandmother, Ethel Kennedy, in Hyannis Port. 

Shriver, was joined by more than two dozen other family members, who took a smaller craft Portwatch to Max Kennedy’s sailboat Glide, moored in the harbor. 

Anthony Shriver (center, giving a thumbs up in blue T-shirt and light blue shirts) led a sailing trip at the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts on Monday for grieving family members after the funeral for Saoirse Kennedy Hill

Saoirse Kennedy Hill was pronounced dead in hospital on Thursday following a suspected drug overdose at the home of her grandmother, Ethel Kennedy, in Hyannis Port. On Monday, following her funeral, members of her family took a sailing trip in her honor

Saoirse Kennedy Hill was pronounced dead in hospital on Thursday following a suspected drug overdose at the home of her grandmother, Ethel Kennedy, in Hyannis Port. On Monday, following her funeral, members of her family took a sailing trip in her honor

The Kennedys and their friends head out to their sailboat where they have been sailed around until sunset hour

The Kennedys and their friends head out to their sailboat where they have been sailed around until sunset hour

Saoirse (pictured)  died of a possible drug overdose at the Kennedy compound on Cape Cod on Thursday

Saoirse (pictured)  died of a possible drug overdose at the Kennedy compound on Cape Cod on Thursday

The sailing trip came a few short hours after Saoirse Kennedy Hill's funeral at Saint Francis Xaviers Cemetery in Centerville. Bearers included her father Paul Michael Hill (front right)

The sailing trip came a few short hours after Saoirse Kennedy Hill’s funeral at Saint Francis Xaviers Cemetery in Centerville. Bearers included her father Paul Michael Hill (front right)

Among those on board was also Conor Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy Jr’s son. Conor – who famously dated Taylor Swift in 2012 – was seen walking along the beach later with a shirt wrapped around his head. 

The famous family rallied around each other at their historic six-acre waterfront estate on Monday after they gathered at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts, for Saoirse’s funeral.

Saoirse’s mother Courtney Kennedy was seen embracing mourners outside the church and being comforted by her cousin Maria Shriver. Saoirse’s father Paul Hill collapsed in tears as he passed by his daughter’s coffin with his estranged wife.

Most of the family arrived on a fleet of buses to remember their ‘Irish Rose,’ just four days after her passing.  

At the end of the mass, her uncles Timothy P. Shriver and Robert F. Kennedy Jr gave poignant eulogies about the indelible mark she had made on the Kennedy family in her short life.  

Saoirse was at the family’s sprawling compound at Hyannis Port on Thursday when emergency responders found her in cardiac arrest. The student, who was set to start her senior year at Boston College next month, was later pronounced dead at Cape Cod Hospital. 

The family have gathered in mourning since her shock death and on Saturday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr led another family sailing trip out in her honor. 

Shriver, was joined by more than two dozen other family members, who took a smaller craft Portwatch to their sailboat moored in the harbor

Shriver, was joined by more than two dozen other family members, who took a smaller craft Portwatch to their sailboat moored in the harbor 

Kennedy Family members arrive at the Hyannis Port Yacht Club to sail on the Glide in Nantucket Sound

Kennedy Family members arrive at the Hyannis Port Yacht Club to sail on the Glide in Nantucket Sound

The famous family rallied around each other at their historic six-acre waterfront estate on Monday after they gathered at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts, for Saoirse's funeral

The famous family rallied around each other at their historic six-acre waterfront estate on Monday after they gathered at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts, for Saoirse’s funeral

The Kennedy, family and friends all gathered at the yacht club following the funeral, to sail in honor of Saiorse, a keen sailor

The Kennedy, family and friends all gathered at the yacht club following the funeral, to sail in honor of Saiorse, a keen sailor 

Saoirse was at the family's sprawling compound at Hyannis Port on Thursday when emergency responders found her in cardiac arrest (pictured are family members at Hyannis Port Yacht Club Monday)

Saoirse was at the family’s sprawling compound at Hyannis Port on Thursday when emergency responders found her in cardiac arrest (pictured are family members at Hyannis Port Yacht Club Monday)

RFK Jr – a prominent environmental activist and attorney – has been leading the tributes to Saoirse since the shocking news of her death on Thursday. 

On Saturday, the 65-year-old shared a photo that showed Saoirse’s cousins sitting around a fire pit at the Kennedy compound on Friday evening as they remembered the life of the late Boston University student. 

He also uploaded a number of throwback snaps that showed Saoirse spending previous summers at the estate in the company of her extended family.   

RFK Jr himself is no stranger to tragedy, with his estranged wife, Mary Richardson Kenned, tragically taking her own life in 2012. 

Saiorse's uncle Timothy P. Shriver and Robert F. Kennedy Jr gave poignant eulogies about the indelible mark she had made on the Kennedy family in her short life. Saiorse's

Saiorse’s uncle Timothy P. Shriver and Robert F. Kennedy Jr gave poignant eulogies about the indelible mark she had made on the Kennedy family in her short life. Saiorse’s 

Anthony Shriver (right), Saoirse's cousin, organized the trip after her funeral, aboard the family's yacht

Anthony Shriver (right), Saoirse’s cousin, organized the trip after her funeral, aboard the family’s yacht

Among those on board was also Conor Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy Jr's son. Conor - who famously dated Taylor Swift in 2012 - was seen walking along the beach later with a shirt wrapped around his head

Among those on board was also Conor Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy Jr’s son. Conor – who famously dated Taylor Swift in 2012 – was seen walking along the beach later with a shirt wrapped around his head

Meanwhile, RFK Jr’s cousin, Patrick Kennedy, has spoken publicly about Saoirse’s death. 

Speaking on NBC’s Nightly News with Lester Holt on Friday, Patrick paid tribute to Soairse for her bravery and said she opened the door for her peers to be open and not feel ‘shamed’ by mental health illness. 

The former politician, 52, who is the son of Ted Kennedy, also called Saoirse a ‘hero’ for speaking candidly about her struggle with depression and mental illness in an article for her school paper in 2016.

The Boston College student had described how she sought treatment after she attempted to take her own life two weeks before her junior year began at the prestigious preparatory school, Deerfield Academy. 

Patrick said: ‘She’s a real hero in my family, she broke the silence, we mourn her loss but her memory will live on as someone who wasn’t going to keep silent and wasn’t going to be feeling as if she had something shameful but rather something medical that she sought treatment for.’ 

On Saturday, Robert F Kennedy Jr (far right) was seen leading a group sailing trip at the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts  two days after the death of his niece Saoirse Kennedy Hill

On Saturday, Robert F Kennedy Jr (far right) was seen leading a group sailing trip at the Kennedy compound in Massachusetts  two days after the death of his niece Saoirse Kennedy Hill 

The group took a smaller boat out to their yacht in the harbor with family members including Conor Kennedy and Joseph Kennedy II

The group took a smaller boat out to their yacht in the harbor with family members including Conor Kennedy and Joseph Kennedy II

RFK Jr shared a photo that showed Saoirse's cousins sitting around a fire pit at the Kennedy compound on Friday evening

RFK Jr shared a photo that showed Saoirse’s cousins sitting around a fire pit at the Kennedy compound on Friday evening

Patrick previously conveyed his sentiments earlier in the day on Twitter, where he wrote several heartfelt messages in the wake of the devastating news.

He also shared a link to the essay Saoirse had penned for her school newspaper The Deerfield Scroll in 2016, describing how depression was her ‘unwanted friend’ in bouts that ‘would come and go.’

She also alluded to being allegedly sexually assaulted, claiming she ‘totally lost it after someone I knew and loved broke serious sexual boundaries with me.’ 

Saoirse did not go into further detail about the individual involved in the alleged assault or state whether she reported it to authorities.

But it seemed clear from her writing that the encounter had an impact on her emotionally. 

In a tweet sharing the article, Patrick said: ‘Saoirse’s sincere account of her depression is a powerful reminder of how so many people suffer alone and feel isolated. I am proud Saoirse was able to be open and tell her story. I encourage everyone to read her words.  

He added: ‘Feel what she felt. Do whatever you can from your position in life to stop the isolation, the stigma, and the devastating lack of acknowledgement that often leads to tragedy. Families across the nation, including ours, are suffering. We must come out of the shadows.  

Saoirse later went on to enroll at Boston College, where she was a communication major and vice president of the College Democrats. 

Saoirse had also alluded to being allegedly sexually assaulted, claiming she 'totally lost it after someone I knew and loved broke serious sexual boundaries with me'

Saoirse had also alluded to being allegedly sexually assaulted, claiming she ‘totally lost it after someone I knew and loved broke serious sexual boundaries with me’

Ethel Kennedy, (pictured wearing a pink shirt), and her daughter Courtney Kennedy Hill, (pictured beside her), were seen for the first time on Friday following the tragic death of Courtney's daughter Saoirse from a suspected drug overdose

Ethel Kennedy, (pictured wearing a pink shirt), and her daughter Courtney Kennedy Hill, (pictured beside her), were seen for the first time on Friday following the tragic death of Courtney’s daughter Saoirse from a suspected drug overdose

On the back of the golf buggy they were supported by Kerry Townsend Meltzer, the youngest daughter of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

On the back of the golf buggy they were supported by Kerry Townsend Meltzer, the youngest daughter of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

Saoirse Kennedy Hill

Saoirse Kennedy Hill

Saoirse Kennedy Hill helped found a group at the school called Deerfield Students Against Sexual Assault, according to a November 2016 story in The Deerfield Scroll 

Soairse’s unexpected death at such a young age has shocked the nation, and is the latest in a long line of tragedies stretching back to the 1940s to have struck America’s most famous political dynasty.

There were emotional scenes at the sprawling Kennedy compound on Friday, where family members were seen hugging and embracing each other following her death.

Her grandmother Ethel Kennedy, 91, and mother Courtney Kennedy Hill, appeared anguished as they were spotted on a golf cart returning to the compound after a brief outing. 

Robert F Kennedy Jr paid a moving tribute to his niece Saoirse Kennedy Hill, saying the 'gaping hope she leaves in our lives is too large to ever heal' following her suspected death of a drug overdose on Thursday

Robert F Kennedy Jr paid a moving tribute to his niece Saoirse Kennedy Hill, saying the ‘gaping hope she leaves in our lives is too large to ever heal’ following her suspected death of a drug overdose on Thursday

Saoirse's uncle Robert F Kennedy Jr, son of the late presidential candidate and his wife Ethel, shared an image with his beloved niece and described her as 'fierce and daring' as the family mourn her tragic loss

Saoirse’s uncle Robert F Kennedy Jr, son of the late presidential candidate and his wife Ethel, shared an image with his beloved niece and described her as ‘fierce and daring’ as the family mourn her tragic loss

Saoirse is seen (back row third from right) celebrating her grandmother Ethel's birthday last year surrounded by family members

Saoirse is seen (back row third from right) celebrating her grandmother Ethel’s birthday last year surrounded by family members

Saoirse’s father is Paul Michael Hill, one of four people falsely convicted in the 1974 Irish Republican Army bombings of two pubs. Hill and Courtney Kennedy married in 1993 and welcomed their only daughter in 1997. 

They lived in Ireland from 2002 until 2006, the year they legally separated. Saoirse spent part of her childhood in Ireland, and often spoke of how proud she was of her Irish heritage and her Gaelic given name, which means freedom. 

An autopsy conducted on the 22-year-old found no trauma to her body, leaving the cause and manner of her death to be determined following toxicology tests, the local district attorney’s office said.  



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