Joan Kennedy Dies at 89 | Sons Ted Jr. & Patrick Kennedy Pay Emotional Tribute 💔 Joan Bennett Kennedy, the first wife of Senator Ted Kennedy and the last surviving member of her generation of the iconic Kennedy family, has passed away at age 89. The accomplished pianist and educator died peacefully in her Boston home early Wednesday morning. Her sons, Ted Kennedy Jr. and Patrick Kennedy, paid heartfelt tributes, remembering her as a loving mother, talented musician, and powerful advocate for me