The Irish widow who was the Kennedys’ rock
Trove of conf idante to America’s former f irst family shines light on remarkable friendship
A QUARTER of a century after stepping forward in a light blue coat to salute his father’s horsedrawn casket, John Kennedy Junior revealed the depth of his loss in a handwritten note to a family friend – Irishwoman Dot Tubridy.
He was just three years old when his father president John F Kennedy was assassinated during a visit to Dallas in November 1963.
The image of a toddler saluting his slain father became an image of a nation’s and a family’s loss.
Yet, John Junior, who died in a light aircraft crash in 1999, never publicly spoke about the death of his father.
But it has now emerged that, despite his public silence about the circumstances surrounding the
‘It’s somewhat of a painful time’
death of his father, the president’s son was able to confide in the Irish woman who had become part of the Kennedys’ inner circle.
His heartache is laid bare in a letter penned to Dot Tubridy just two months before the 25th anniversary of his father’s assassination.
It is among the thousands of items, including invites to the White House, letters from Jackie Kennedy and intimate family Kennedy photos, that will go on display in Trim, Co. Meath in May.
Dot, the widow of showjumper Michael Tubridy, got to know the Kennedy clan when she befriended Ethel Sharkel – the future Mrs Bobby Kennedy – at a show jumping event in the 1950s.
She became a confidante and trusted Kennedy family friend for almost 70 years.
The formidable mother of one is credited with formalising the tradition of presenting the US president with shamrock in a crystal bowl every St Patrick’s Day.
John Kennedy Junior’s letter to her in September 1988 gives an extraordinary insight into a family still struggling to come to terms with a tragedy that had occurred 25 years earlier.
Dated September 19, 1988, he wrote the letter to thank Dot for her help in getting a postage stamp issued in Ireland to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his father’s death.
The letter – which came with a photograph of Dot with John as a child – reads:
‘I wanted to thank you for your efforts on behalf of the General Post Office of Ireland with regards to the stamp and commemoration.
‘It sounds like a grand idea and I would have gone if I could.
‘... It’s somewhat of a painful time and I feel that at that time for this anniversary I must stay with my family. Thanks again and good luck. Sincerely John Kennedy.’
Dot died last year and it was her request that her death notice not appear until a week after she died.
The ‘Dear Dot’ exhibition will open on her anniversary at the Trim Visitor Centre and will run from May until September.