TRIBUTES

Kelly Foster

I remember growing up hearing the revered memories of the Kennedy's, both my mother and my grandparents would lovingly recall their memories of the historic events that changed America. But as a child of the 70's I have only known Teddy. For this I will be forever grateful.

I first met the Senator in 1999 when I was college student at Clark University in Massachusettes. There had been a tragic fire that had killed 6 firefighters and at the memorial for them in Worcester I had the chance to finally be in the presence of a Kennedy- and what I most remember is not awe but comfort. I grew up with the myth and now I knew the man, and though I did not personally know any of the men killed, he was a source of comfort in a time of  great loss for the community.

I later drew on that comfort a few years ago when my teenage cousin killed himself after a battle with depression. I became involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and have battled to change the laws regarding mental health parity. Knowing we had Teddy in our corner helping lead the fight along with Patrick gave me great confidence that change would come- and sure enough it did. I cannot express how much I will miss him, a world without him in it is something I do not look forward to. God bless the Kennedy family as surely as God blessed us by giving us Teddy for as long as we did. Thank you, thank you, thank you.