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Joan Kennedy — who was married to Senator Ted Kennedy for 22 years — has passed away.

The death comes amid a tumultuous year for the Kennedy family, have been divided along ideological lines since the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Joan Kennedy was 89 years old.

Joan Kennedy’s son shares news of her death

News of Joan’s passing comes courtesy of her son, Patrick Kennedy, and his wife, Amy:

“Mrs. Kennedy was a classically trained pianist, an advocate for mental health and addiction recovery, and a quiet pioneer in publicly addressing challenges with alcoholism and depression at a time when few others would,” the couple wrote , adding:

“Her courage and candor helped break stigma and insp

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