Joan Bennett Kennedy , the first wife of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (Ted Kennedy) and mother of former former Rhode Island U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy , died in her sleep at her home in Boston on Oct. 8 at age 89.

Kennedy, a classical pianist, music teacher and advocate for mental health and addiction services, was married to Ted Kennedy, who was the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy, from 1958 to 1982.

They had three children together: the late television producer Kara Kennedy, Patrick Joseph Kennedy and former Connecticut state Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

“Besides being a loving mother, talented musician, and instrumental partner to my father as he launched his successful political career, Mom was a powerful example to millions of people with mental health

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