NEW YORK -- John F. Kennedy Jr. said Friday that his mother died 'in her own way and on her own terms' surrounded by family and friends and the books that she loved.
The son of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis talked to the mob of reporters holding vigil outside the Fifth Avenue apartment where his mother died late Thursday of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Standing under the entrance canopy, the only surviving son of the slain president spoke cordially to reporters, his hands thrust into the pockets of his dark blue suit.
'Since many of you have been here for many hours, I thought I'd come down and say a few things. As you probably know, last night around 10:15 my mther passed on,' he said.
'She was surrounded by her family, her friends and her books -- the people and things that she loved. She did it in her own way and on her own terms. We all feel very lucky for that.
'And now she is in God's hands.
'There has been a tremendous outpouring of good wishes from everyone both in New York and beyond. I speak for all the family. Everyone is extremely grateful. Everyone's been very generous, and I hope that we can just have these next couple of days in relative peace.'
After bidding the reporters 'good afternoon,' Kennedy, 33, and several male companions strode to the corner of the avenue across from Central Park, hailed a cab and left.
Kennedy's description of his mother's deathbed scene reflected her decision to leave New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and die in her own home after doctors said further medical treatment would be futile.
Onassis is said to have made a living will that expressly banned the use of life-support systems to keep her alive.
