If a kinder person with opposing views ever entered my life, it was Irene Napier.
Irene was the Godmother of the Pro-Life movement in McHenry County.
I was one of her State Representatives and certainly not on her side of the issue during the 1970’s.
Probably the result of my wife at the time being Pro-Choice.
But, in 1987 my mother was killed when a speeding truck struck her car as she was crossing Route 14 at Dean Street. (There is now a traffic signal.)
Irene called to offer her condolences.
I had been out of office seven years. (“In remission,” as I jokingly put it.)
Her out-of-the-blue kindness softened my heart.
Irene was not the person who convinced me to become Pro-Life.
That was State Rep. Penny Pullen in a series of Springfield dinner conversation culminating her asking, “Can you tell me another crime (other than rape) where the victim is killed?”
That was re-enforced by my Grandmother Addie Watling-Skinner later when she asked, “What do you think about abortion?”
“I don’t know Grandmom. What do you think?”
“Well, if I had followed my girlfriend’s advice (in 1915), you wouldn’t be here.”
My father was her second pregnancy and she was running a corner grocery store in Wilmington, Delaware. She didn’t know how she could continue that enterprise while tending to two children, the older of whom, George, already was wondering off.
Irene’s home on Valley View Road east of Crystal Lake was the headquarters for Pro-Life political activity.
She understood the importance of Crisis Pregnancy Centers, but accurately figured out that the political arena was where change was needed.
The Pig Roast at her farm regularly attracted politicians.
All Republican candidates for Governor attended the year before Bruce Rauner was beat Pat Quinn.
I can only image her distress when Illinois Democrats switched from defending life to supporting abortion on demand up to the day before birth.
But, undoubtedly, that was balance by the United States Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Irene ran the race and how is with her Savior, Jesus Christ.
