Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 88; member of Kennedy clan, founder of Special Olympics

By Bryan Marquard, Globe Staff

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who planted the seeds for the Special Olympics when she launched Camp Shriver on the lawn of her Maryland home, and then with force of will and the clout of her family name spread her vision of lifting the developmentally disabled "into the sunlight of useful living," died this morning.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Mrs. Shriver was 88. She had suffered a series of strokes in recent years and died at 2 a.m. at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, her family said in a statement.

To read the Globe obituary, click here.

The family's statement can be found by clicking here.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy's statement is here.

A statement from Timothy P. Shriver, chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, can be found here.

President Obama's statement is here.

A collection of thoughts and condolences can be found here.

To share your memories, click here.

Visitors to the Kennedy Library and Museum in Dorchester today left their thoughts in condolence books. More information about condolence books and donations in lieu of flowers can be found here.

A photo gallery can be found here.