BREAKING: Myra Kraft Passes
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Myra Kraft, wife of New England Patriots and Revolution owner Robert Kraft, passed away Wednesday morning following a battle with cancer.
The Patriots issued a statement on her passing this morning:
“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.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMrs. Kraft was the daughter of the late Worcester philanthropist Jacob Hiatt, and served as President and Director of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. Once listed as one of the 20 most powerful women in Boston, Mrs. Kraft also served on several boards of directors, including the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and Brandeis University.
Mrs. Kraft hasn't always had a voice in her husband's team organizations, but when she spoke up, she was heard. Shortly after the 1996 NFL Draft, Mrs. Kraft learned that the Patriots' fifth-round choice, Christian Peter of Nebraska, had a lengthy history of violence against women. At her insistence, the Patriots relinquished Peter's rights only a week after the draft.
