Mourners gather for funeral of Mary Kennedy

Bedford, New York: Family and friends gathered on Saturday at a modest stone church in a hamlet north of New York City for the funeral of Mary Richardson Kennedy, the latest member of that charmed and cursed family to fall victim to tragedy and inner demons.

The service, held on a beautiful spring morning, was private, but the list of celebrities attending was a testament to both Kennedy star power, and Mary's knack for friendship.

Later on Saturday, Mary was buried at a cemetery in Centerville, Massachusetts, several kilometres from the Kennedy seaside compound in Hyannisport.

The mourners at the funeral included actors Susan Sarandon, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and Edward James Olmos, tennis great John McEnroe and musician Paul Shaffer. Glenn Close sang and Seinfeld co-creator Larry David spoke during the ceremony. Mary's estranged husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, delivered the eulogy.

Speaking to reporters before the service, Mary's sister-in-law and nearly lifelong friend, Kerry Kennedy, recalled her as "brilliant" and "beautiful."

"She cared so very, very deeply about everybody around her," she said.

But she added Kennedy had fought a lifelong struggle against depression.

The 52-year-old architectural designer and environmentalist was found dead of an apparent suicide on Wednesday at the family's estate in Bedford. Her death followed a difficult two years, during which her husband filed for divorce and she was charged twice with driving while intoxicated.