By Madeleine Santangelo Palumbo
Dr. Florence C. Maloney made me proud to be part of a visible force in the ongoing debate that still surrounds the abortion issue. Although I was an educator for over 44 years I was inspired, motivated and invigorated by being a member of the Joint Parish Respect Life Committee, founded by Florence.. She was truly a great woman warrior for the Pro-Life Movement and a true Catholic who practiced real conservative values. Florence was most generous in so many ways: helping some members and she always provided coffee and goodies at our monthly meetings.
Because of Florence’s leadership I established the Celebrate Life Club at Bishop Kearney High School in Brooklyn. We participated in the March for Life in Washington, D. C. for years. Because of her we entered the nationwide Culture of Life Speech & Art Contest. With her help and support we won first, second and third prize awards. These young women, many of color, were able to be a voice for the unborn and other end of life issues. They experienced signing petitions against the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection (RHAPP) bill and the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), and other proposed legislation. Florence managed to have my students participate in 2009 in the “Youth and the Future of the Pro-Life Movement” conference held at Nassau Community College.
Each month Florence notified and distributed pro-life information to every committee member. She created the Pro-Life Speakers Series. Pro-life politicians and candidates were encouraged to attend our conference programs and prayer vigils. We held a debate with Michael Conigliaro and Joseph Addabbo, Jr., two Catholics who were running for office.
Florence appointed me to the Board of the New York State Right to Life Committee based in Albany. She had been on the same board for many years.
Florence supported, financially and otherwise, The Bridge to Life, a non-profit organization that helps and supports women and their children who are in need. Pamela Menera is on the board of Bridge to Life and she and I volunteer there every Wednesday.
Florence established the quarterly publication, Respect Life News, which has been replaced by the email newsletter, Respect Life News, thanks to our editor, Boris Musich. Our monthly committee meetings are now being run by our current chairman, Thomas Murawski.
Florence helped me to arrange to have Msgr. Philip Reilly to be a guest speaker at my high school. He is the founder of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. I’m still an active member who prays and tries to counsel in front of an abortion facility in Queens, together with some other pro-life warriors. There are many members of the Helpers all over the world. Kevin and Susan Moore now represent their uncle, Msgr. Reilly, and they are carrying out his great work and mission.
Florence and Msgr. Reilly had the insight to create the program, Rachel’s Helpers -- Forgiven and Set Free, which supports post-aborted women through Bible study, prayer, reflection and guided discussions. It has helped many women to be free from the bondage of guilt and grief that follows an abortion. These courageous women have chosen to face the hurts of their past. I have been one of the facilitators of this outreach program together with Judy Mooney, Pamela Menera and Julia Chitos. Confidentiality and trust are the goods which enable these women to begin their journey toward healing of mind and spirit.
May all of Florence’s friends and relatives be blessed to have known this pioneer, educator, and Catholic and to know how much she was respected and loved. May she rest in Heaven!
Editor's Note: Dr. Florence C. Maloney died on January 28, 2024 . See the obituary.
Dr. Florence C. Maloney made me proud to be part of a visible force in the ongoing debate that still surrounds the abortion issue. Although I was an educator for over 44 years I was inspired, motivated and invigorated by being a member of the Joint Parish Respect Life Committee, founded by Florence.. She was truly a great woman warrior for the Pro-Life Movement and a true Catholic who practiced real conservative values. Florence was most generous in so many ways: helping some members and she always provided coffee and goodies at our monthly meetings.
Because of Florence’s leadership I established the Celebrate Life Club at Bishop Kearney High School in Brooklyn. We participated in the March for Life in Washington, D. C. for years. Because of her we entered the nationwide Culture of Life Speech & Art Contest. With her help and support we won first, second and third prize awards. These young women, many of color, were able to be a voice for the unborn and other end of life issues. They experienced signing petitions against the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection (RHAPP) bill and the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), and other proposed legislation. Florence managed to have my students participate in 2009 in the “Youth and the Future of the Pro-Life Movement” conference held at Nassau Community College.
Each month Florence notified and distributed pro-life information to every committee member. She created the Pro-Life Speakers Series. Pro-life politicians and candidates were encouraged to attend our conference programs and prayer vigils. We held a debate with Michael Conigliaro and Joseph Addabbo, Jr., two Catholics who were running for office.
Florence appointed me to the Board of the New York State Right to Life Committee based in Albany. She had been on the same board for many years.
Florence supported, financially and otherwise, The Bridge to Life, a non-profit organization that helps and supports women and their children who are in need. Pamela Menera is on the board of Bridge to Life and she and I volunteer there every Wednesday.
Florence established the quarterly publication, Respect Life News, which has been replaced by the email newsletter, Respect Life News, thanks to our editor, Boris Musich. Our monthly committee meetings are now being run by our current chairman, Thomas Murawski.
Florence helped me to arrange to have Msgr. Philip Reilly to be a guest speaker at my high school. He is the founder of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. I’m still an active member who prays and tries to counsel in front of an abortion facility in Queens, together with some other pro-life warriors. There are many members of the Helpers all over the world. Kevin and Susan Moore now represent their uncle, Msgr. Reilly, and they are carrying out his great work and mission.
Florence and Msgr. Reilly had the insight to create the program, Rachel’s Helpers -- Forgiven and Set Free, which supports post-aborted women through Bible study, prayer, reflection and guided discussions. It has helped many women to be free from the bondage of guilt and grief that follows an abortion. These courageous women have chosen to face the hurts of their past. I have been one of the facilitators of this outreach program together with Judy Mooney, Pamela Menera and Julia Chitos. Confidentiality and trust are the goods which enable these women to begin their journey toward healing of mind and spirit.
May all of Florence’s friends and relatives be blessed to have known this pioneer, educator, and Catholic and to know how much she was respected and loved. May she rest in Heaven!
Editor's Note: Dr. Florence C. Maloney died on January 28, 2024 . See the obituary.
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