To the Editor:
After reading the obituary of Mrs. Eileen Slocum of Newport, R.I. in the Providence Journal, I realized how intimately her life had been woven with that of the prolife community here in R.I.
During the time I served as Respect Life coordinator for the Diocese of Providence, I worked closely with Anna Sullivan, director of RI Right to Life. We spoke of Mrs. Slocum often. She was an elegant and gracious woman, who was so supportive of our lobbying efforts to ban assisted suicide and partial-birth abortion. As a result of the collaborative efforts of many people of good will statewide, we succeeded on both counts.
As I paid my respects to the family of this wonderful woman, I was struck by the candid remarks of her son and daughter in acknowledging their mother’s devotion to all children, especially the unborn. They also mentioned that she realized fully the importance of marriage and family to society. Although I never had the unique privilege of meeting her in person, we spoke on the phone a few times. I also appreciated her personal letter of encouragement and support to me once after a setback on prolife legislation.
She was truly the heroine of the prolife community here in R.I.; and so we, along with her children and grandchildren, will miss her and the important role she played in saving the lives of the most vulnerable at the beginning and end of life. May she rest in peace in the palm of the Lord of Life.
Maria C. Parker
Executive Director
National Organization for
Marriage, RI
