by Gretchen Keiser

A Marietta woman who brought “grace, gentleness and wisdom” to hotline calls from people in crisis pregnancies has been recognized with an award named in her honor.

Daphne Madol of Holy Family parish, Marietta, was one of the first eight people to volunteer in July 1992 when Catholic Social Services inaugurated a hotline number. In the 18 months since then, she has donated 250 hours of time answering calls from people in crisis, and has counseled over 60 women, according to the director, Kathleen Pyrce.

Her dedication has been very high, Mrs. Pyrce said, as she followed through on the needs in each situation, whether delivering cribs or formula or arranging lodging for women in need, usually handling the task personally. Ms. Madol also continued on despite serious personal illness which required hospitalization, Mrs. Pyrce noted.

“These are wonderful things and I thank her for it,” the director said, “but what is really unique is her spirit...She was always able to bring grace and gentleness to her hotline calls. She just seemed to know what was the right thing to say.

Many difficult calls from women in need that exceeded the resources of other volunteers were turned over to Ms. Madol, the hotline director said. “She is such a lady...She taught us how to handle some of these situations in a better way. She brought beauty to something that could be a very ugly thing.”

There are now 48 volunteers who staff the hotline, and an additional 100 people who volunteer to help the pro-life ministry in other ways, Mrs. Pyrce said. The others may help tutoring pregnant teens who have had to suspend attending school, mentoring, providing transportation to doctors, giving childbirth education or maintaining a clothes closet of donated maternity and baby items.

All the volunteers were recognized at a coffee at the Catholic Center in December where Archbishop John F. Donoghue was a guest and spoke supportively of their efforts.

Ms. Madol received the 1993 Volunteer Achievement Award from the archbishop, which will be called the Daphne Madol Volunteer Award in future years. Because of her illness Ms. Madol had to retire from hotline service at the end of October 1993.