August 9, 2022

Longtime pro-life advocate remembered for loving witness, dedication

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Longtime pro-life advocate, Marilyn Stearns, who dedicated her life to being a voice for the unborn, passed away Sunday, Aug. 7. Stearns, a member of St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow, had just turned 80 in July.

Stearns was an original member of Catholics for the Unborn which began the monthly Pro-Life Vigil at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield more than two decades ago. The vigil is held on the second Thursday of each month. She also helped organize Life Chain, a public witness for life on Rt. 5 in Longmeadow each October during Respect Life Month.

“She was always there, leading the rosary. She was very, very dedicated,” said friend Amparo Moran. Stearns and Moran’s late husband Tony worked together on Life Chain and other pro-life fundraisers. “She inspired me, of course, and my husband. We have been involved in pro-life for almost 40 years. Pro-life was the first thing on Marilyn’s agenda,” said Moran.

Stearns was a member of Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley’s Longmeadow chapter and received the non-profit’s “Pro-Lifer of the Year” award in 2014.

“You would not find a more passionate person who stood up strong and boldly, in a good way, for pro-life than Marilyn Stearns,” said Father C.J. Waitekus, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow. “She was a real stalwart person who lived and breathed pro-life.”

Stearns leaves behind her husband, Lawrence P. Stearns and seven children. She was a grandmother to 11 and great-grandmother to two, with one on the way. Her son, John Anziano, director of campus ministry at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield, has organized the Good Friday Pro-Life Stations of the Cross the last several years for his mother. Stearns began that Good Friday tradition more than 20 years ago with Catholics for the Unborn.

“Marilyn leaves a strong legacy in her son, John Anziano,” said Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of pro-life activities in the Diocese of Springfield. “John organizes the local Springfield Mass and March for Life in January, with students from Pope Francis,” Father Pacholec said.

“To honor Marilyn, please consider attending the monthly rosary and devotions at St. Michael’s Cathedral at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month. It was Marilyn’s great hope to see this prayer ministry grow with the participation of more people each month,” he continued.

The next Pro-Life Vigil is Thursday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m.

Calling hours will be held Friday Aug. 12, from 4-7 p.m. at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home in East Longmeadow. A funeral Mass will be held, Saturday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield.

Memorial contributions can be made to Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley at prolifepv.com.