In Memoriam - Milvia Cacich

Milvia Cacich at the Birthright dinner, April 6, 2006.

Tribute by Regina Riely

Born in Italy before WWII, a few years later little Milvia tried in vain to sleep during the nightly bombing attacks by British/American forces. The famine widespread during and after the war meant that the child went to a nearby granary mill and would pick up grains of rice one grain at a time. A bit of grain, enough to fit in a child's small hand, was shared with her mother and aunt. Through her small but selfless gleanings she was largely responsible for her family's survival.

Much later when she came to this country and married, she had a son and adopted a daughter. When she was left with two small children she went back to school and became a practical nurse, earned some money, and returned to school to become a registered nurse. From a patient she contracted Hepatitis C, which left her liver permanently damaged. Life threatening as it was, she returned to her many acts of mercy. Her love for her children, especially her five grandchildren, was a great consolation. The Legion of Mary, a local prayer group, the Vicariate functions, the respect life group, gathering signatures for pro-life candidates, and praying in front of Dr. Kaali's Dobbs Ferry abortion mill and the Katonah Medical Group with it's several abortion doctors were just a few of her activities. She developed chronic lymphoma. She developed pneumonia and was hospitalized as a result of these ongoing diseases. Yet again she returned from the brink. Her last and perhaps most challenging job was as sidewalk counselor outside 222 Mamaroneck Avenue, the same building which houses Congresswoman Nita Lowey's local offices - no mere coincidence.

It takes grit to just silently walk up and down outside a clinic that makes money killing babies and scarring women and men for life. But to actually try and engage these misguided, misinformed, and frightened young people in conversation and offer them alternatives as they are on their way to the clinic takes either extraordinary courage or extraordinary faith. Milvia had both. She was equally forthright in trying to console them after the horrible deed was done. She would offer abortion healing through Lumina.

January 2007 Milvia began her final battle. She was in much pain and after two fungal infections in the blood and bacterial pneumonia, Jesus took her. She affirmed that all her pain was for the unborn babies and her every breath was the prayer, "Jesus I love you." Her life was one of loving generosity. "Those who sow generously will reap generously..." The child with the handful of rice will have grains shaken down and overflowing her robes.

Comments

[Judith Anderson]

What a joy it was to know and work with you, Milvia! God has called you home to Him at last. Your life was lived with the generosity of the "widow's mite" - all, not counting the cost. Thank you for your friendship and your prayers. Your support of the work of the HVCL was constant despite financial constraints. Your love for the unborn unequaled; your faithfulness a shining example for us all.

[Carole McDonnell]

Milvia was truly a saint. I loved her so much. Her honesty, kindness, and dedication to God was wonderful. But we sorrow not as those who have no hope. We will all see Milvia again.

[John Anthony Vorel]

Though I only knew Milvia for only a few years I met Milvia at extraodinary crossroads in my life. For a couple of years I have tried to make a serious effort to pray at the abortion clinic on Mamaroneck Ave on Saturday mornings.Because of a chronic illness myself I never found it easy to get there. I remember car pooling once or twice with her to White Plains but other times when I drove down by myself- when I arrived there- there she was a faithful servant no matter the weather. It was very apparent to me that she was very determined; fearless and unwavering in her commitment to be a prayerful voice against this serious evil of our time. I could tell from the momment I first met her that she was someone in the trenches doing battle with the devil and I knew her rosary was the weapon she yeilded in this war.

Coincidently, when I was visiting my mother in the hospital during the end of December (who would soon die on Jan 12th) I almost literally bumped into her at hospital elevator. She told me in a somewhat subdued tone that she was on her way to her oncologist. I apologized to her regarding her predicament and I told her about my mother's situation. I could sense her own burden of a heavy cross that was being placed on her. I also knew she would be one who kept her hope by the strong prayer life she maintained. She would pass on to her heavenly reward only weeks after my mother did in the same hospital.

[Theresa]

I had many a wonderful talk with Milvia who had a loving heart for those suffering after abortion.

I am sure Our Lady was there to greet her on her journey ...Rest in peace Milvia...you are in my prayers.