Sister to President John F. Kennedy and mother to California First Lady Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger, Eunice Kennedy Shriver has died at the age of 88.

For the last week, Eunice has been in critical condition Cape Cod Hospital in Barnstable, Mass.

In 1968 she organized the first Special Olympics which was inspired by her sister Rosemary who was mentally disabled.

The family released the following statement:

“a living prayer, a living advocate, a living center of power. She set out to change the world and to change us, and she did that and more.”

Sen. Edward Kennedy also paid tribute to her

“great humor, sharp wit and … boundless passion to make a difference.”

Our condolences to the Kennedy, Shriver & Schwarzenegger families.

Photo:  WENN.com