Myra Hiatt Kraft, the wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has passed away, according to numerous media reports. Mrs. Kraft had been fighting cancer for an extended period of time.
The Patriots have issued the following statement on the situation: “Words cannot express the deep sorrow that we feel in learning of the passing of Myra Hiatt Kraft. Myra passed away early this morning after a courageous battle with cancer. We are all heartbroken. The global philanthropic community and the New England Patriots family have suffered a great loss.”
During her ordeal, many in the media knew of the situation, but the media respected the privacy of the Kraft family. Even lately, when Mr. Kraft had been shuttling between the NFL labor talks and the hospital at which Mrs. Kraft was being treated, the media remained respectful of the situation, despite the possible temptation to applaud Mr. Kraft for making such a significant sacrifice for the game at a time when he was one of the only owners -- if not the only owner -- that the players truly trusted.
Born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mrs. Kraft graduated from the Bancroft School and received a B.A. from Brandeis University in 1964. She established the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation in 1994, when the Krafts purchased the franchise. She also served as a trustee of the Robert K. and Myra H. Kraft Foundation, which advances educational initiatives and other civic-minded causes.
Mrs. Kraft was involved in many other charitable causes, summarized at her biography page on The Boston Foundation’s website, where she served on the Board of Directors. The photo accompanying this story was taken on October 26, 2010, after completion of a new playground at the Boys & Girls Club of Boston. In 1995, Mrs. Kraft became the first female chair of the organization, performing the duties so well that the Boys & Girls Club amended its by-laws to to extend the term limit of four years.
Mrs. Kraft is survived by her husband and four sons, Jonathan, Daniel, Joshua, and David.
Our thoughts and prayers have been with and will remain with the Kraft family, the Patriots organization, and all of the persons whom Mrs. Kraft has touched during a life premised on the concept of giving to others.