The funeral Mass for Daphne Madol, whose dedication to the pro-life cause was considered extraordinary by many who shared the struggle with her, was celebrated by her pastor, Father Paul Fogarty, on March 24 at Holy Family Church in Marietta.

Concelebrants were Fathers Stewart Wilber and Juan de la Cruz, parochial vicars at Holy Family, and Father Balappa Selvaraj, parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas, Alpharetta.

Mrs. Madol, 57, died March 22 in Kennestone Hospital after a long bout with cancer. In December she had received the 1993 Volunteer Achievement Award from the archbishop for her work on the Catholic Social Services crisis pregnancy hotline. The award will be called the Daphne Madol Volunteer Award in future years.

A member of Holy Family Church for 16 years, she was involved in pro-life activities on both the parish and diocesan level. Many of her protests took place at a Chamblee clinic where for many years she went every Saturday to pray the rosary. Several years ago, she started a nine-week rosary novena for life at the same clinic.

“I hope Daphne’s death is not the end of this prayer effort,” said Peggy Sinanian, director of the archdiocesan Pro-Life Office. “She was very loving and caring and offered up the suffering of her illness for pro-life. I considered Daphne a personal friend and a personal inspiration.”

Because of her zeal for the unborn she was no stranger to jails and courtrooms. She was arrested several times during Operation Rescue sit-down protests during and after the Democratic National Convention in 1988. At one point she spent nine days in jail, according to her daughter, Margarita Szechenyi.

In addition to her daughter, Margarita, of Marietta, survivors include daughters Stephanie Cronk, of Lilburn; Angela Szechenyi, of Trenton, N.J. and a granddaughter.

Burial was in Kennesaw Memorial Park. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office, 680 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta, Ga., 30308.