John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumKathleen Cavendish better known as Kick Kennedy did not live long enough to see her brother Jack become president.Kathleen Cavendish, also known as Kick Kennedy, led a dramatic life. She was the younger sister of John F. Kennedy, and grew up in their bustling, prestigious family. As an adult, Kick also married a British noble, which made her the Marchioness of Hartington. But Kicks life was marked by tragedy as well. Because her husband was a Protestant, her parents disapproved of her marriage. Kick went ahead with the wedding, only to lose her husband after a few months when he died in World War II less than a month after Kicks brother Joe was also killed. And years before the tragic deaths of her brothers John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, Kick Kennedy also died young. In 1948, she perished in a plane crash at the age of just 28. This is the sad story of Kathleen Kick Kennedy Cavendish. Kick Kennedy, The Rebellious Kennedy SiblingBorn on Feb. 20, 1920, Kathleen Kennedy was the fourth of nine children born to Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald. She and her older brothers Joe Jr. and Jack better known as future president John F. Kennedy were considered the gold trio of the Kennedy siblings, according to the National Parks Department, and were expected to set a good example for the others. John F. Kennedy LibraryThe Kennedy siblings, from left to right: Jean, Bobby, Patricia, Eunice, Kathleen, Rosemary, Jack, and Joe Jr.But Kathleen Kennedy was always free-spirited. Her family nicknamed her Kick because of her outgoing, joyful personality, and Kick retained her independent spirit even after attending convent schools in Connecticut and France. Kennedy biographer Lynne McTaggart remarked to the New York Post in 2016 that Kick was the only rebel of the family. Like the rest of her family, however, Kick Kennedys life changed forever when her father became the American ambassador to the United Kingdom. Joseph Kennedy brought his family overseas, and Kick quickly made an impression with her charisma and charm. She left an especially strong impression on William Billy Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington. However, the young couple faced a number of challenges. Cavendish was Protestant, while Kicks family was Catholic. And the dawn of World War II threatened to separate them for good. Becoming The Marchioness Of HartingtonShortly after Kick Kennedy arrived in London, World War II began in Europe. London began to gear up for the conflict, and Kit later remembered air raid drills with a series of piercing blasts along with wardens bustling people into the underground dugout. Alongside Joe and Jack, Kick even walked to Westminster to hear Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declare war. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumJoe Jr., Kick, and Jack walked to Westminster to hear Great Britain declare war on Germany. Sept. 3, 1939. Shortly thereafter, Kick was forced to return to the United States. She briefly worked at the Washington Times-Herald but pined for Cavendish and her life in England, and arranged to return to London with the American Red Cross. Back across the Atlantic, Kick found that The Blitz had decimated the city but her relationship with Cavendish was as strong as ever.However, the challenge of their different religions remained. Cavendish wanted to remain in the Church of England and raise their children as Anglicans. And though his family supported his relationship with Kick, Cavendish was the heir to the dukedom of Devonshire and Chatsworth House. If he left the Church of England, his children might not inherit his dukedom. Meanwhile, Kick Kennedys family also disapproved of the marriage. Her mother Rose was especially aghast according to the Telegraph, she almost had a nervous breakdown, believing her daughters soul would be damned but Kick had always had an independent spirit. On May 6, 1944, Kathleen Kennedy married William Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington. Only Kicks brother Joe attended. Though Kick retained her Catholicism, she had agree to raise their children as Anglicans. Chatsworth HouseKathleen Kennedy at her wedding to William Cavendish. Only her brother Joe, standing over her shoulder, attended.It was a joyful occasion. But tragedy lurked around the corner.The Many Tragedies Of Kick KennedyJust months after Kick Kennedy became Kathleen Cavendish, tragedy struck. Her brother, Joe Jr., was killed in action while flying over the English Channel on Aug. 12, 1944. Meanwhile, her husband was sent to fight in Belgium, and the pain of separation was hard for the newlyweds. I have a permanent lump in my throat and I long for you to be here as it is an experience which few can have and which I would love to share with you, William wrote to Kathleen on Sept. 3, 1944. Six days later, he was shot and killed in Heppen, Belgium. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and MuseumKick and Billy Cavendish married in May 1944. He died months later. So ends the story of Billy and Kick, Kick wrote in her diary. Life is so cruelWriting is impossible.To a friend, she wrote, One thing you can be sure of, life holds no fears for someone who has faced love, marriage and death before the age of 25.But Kathleen Cavendish did not let tragedy define her. Though made a widow in her 20s, she threw herself into London society and politics. She gave speeches, performed duties as the Marchioness Of Hartington, and rubbed elbows with young politicians. And at a ball in 1946, Kick crossed paths with Peter Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 8th Earl of Fitzwilliam.Here, history seemed to repeat itself. Kick fell for Fitzwilliam, and, once again, her family disapproved. Not only was Fitzwilliam a Protestant, but he was also married at the time that he and Kick met. Rose Kennedy threatened to disown her daughter if they married. But Kick was smitten. Public DomainA portrait of Peter Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 8th Earl of Fitzwilliam.Once Fitzwilliams divorce was final, the couple boarded a plane to France. They hoped to meet with Kicks father, Joseph, and ask for his blessing. But they never made it there. On May 13, 1948, the plane carrying Kick and Peter crashed in France. Kathleen Cavendish died at 28, along with everyone onboard.The Sad Legacy Of Kathleen Kick KennedyAfter her death, Kathleen Cavendish was buried at Chatsworth. According to the National Parks Service, her in-laws, the Cavendish family, gave her a full Catholic burial. But only her Kicks father Joe attended. Indeed, her death came as a terrible tragedy to the Kennedy family, which was still reeling from the loss of Joe Jr. Ultimately, all three members of the golden trio Joe Jr., Jack, and Kick would die tragic deaths. ViennaUK/Wikimedia CommonsKathleen Cavendishs gravestone, alongside a plaque commemorating the visit of her brother, President John F. Kennedy, shortly before his assassination. And Kick Kennedys death was not just a tragedy for the Kennedy family. Her adopted country also mourned the loss. No American, man or woman who has ever settled in England, was so much loved as she, and no American ever loved England more, The Times in London declared. Strangely enough, it was those in London who are most disenchanted with this day and age who perhaps derived the greatest comfort and light from her enchanting personality.Kathleen Cavendish was the second of four Kennedy siblings to die tragic deaths. Next, learn more about the Kennedy curse, and then read about Kicks sister Rosemary Kennedy, who was lobotomized.The post Kathleen Cavendish, John F. Kennedys Beloved Sister Who Died At The Age Of 28 appeared first on All That's Interesting.