A selection of tributes to Babette
Ed Martin, president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles (USA): Babette lived a full life and, as Phyllis used to say with a big smile about herself, "I had it all — just not all at once." This was Babette too… What a family, what a legacy of activism and writing. And what love for the Lord. She is an inspiration to me. Now I can ask her to pray for me in heaven. God bless us all.
Dr Allan C. Carlson (USA), founder World Congress of Families: Babette was an extraordinary woman, a figure of global importance, who lived a rich and fruitful life. She was a bundle of energy, combining strength of character with Christian joy. I consider it a great blessing to have been able to know and work with her (and Charles as well). Betsy and I extend our condolences to Babette's family and friends Down Under and wish you every success in carrying forward her legacy.
Steven Mosher, president Population Research Institute (USA): I first met Babette around 1986, when she was in California attending an event hosted by the great American pro-lifer Phyllis Schlafly. She was introduced to me as Australia's Phyllis Schlafly by our host. But the irrepressible Babette immediately corrected her, saying that it was her goal to be so effective in promoting life and family in Australia that one day Phyllis would be known as America's Babette Francis!
Denise Mountenay, founder of Canada Silent No More and Endeavour Forum's envoy to the United Nations: I am deeply sorry to hear of Babette's passing, but I know she is now with our Lord Jesus in heaven. Wonderful memories with Babette at the UN in New York and Geneva. I often called her the "General", as she was a leader in the right to life, a real go-getter, and strong pro-life, pro-family advocate. She knew so many people.
Sir Nicholas Tam, KCR, FRSA, RCS (Hong Kong) Council Member and Young Fellows chairman: We should all draw inspiration from the fine example set by Babette Francis as the founder of Endeavour Forum, who has shown us how to make an impact locally and internationally — despite a total lack of public funding or remuneration for her tireless efforts — by combining the wit of Shakespeare, the courage of Hercules, and the integrity of Sir Thomas More. It was always a joy to open a newspaper or website containing an article written by Babette, which inevitably combined exquisite prose with merciless mockery of the lunatic left.
Denise M. Cameron, president Pro-Life Victoria: Australian pro-lifers have been saddened to learn of the death on July 17 of Mrs Babette Francis following a fall in her nursing facility in Melbourne. With the loss of such a prominent defender of the family and of the youngest member of that family, the unborn child, they are feeling bereft. To the Francis family we owe a huge debt of thanks for sharing their parents and our sincere sympathy in the loss of their mother. Uniquely, the Francis family have between them all, THREE Orders of Australia! For their advocacy work... Charles having been a Member of the Victorian Parliament and their daughter, Prue, for her contribution to oncology.
Margaret Tighe, president, Right to Life Australia Inc: Babette and her late husband Charles — a Melbourne barrister and former MP in the Victorian parliament — over many years, were constant supporters of the life movement! Babette's most significant contribution, in my opinion, was the many occasions she spent lobbying at UN conventions in New York on life issues. The Right to Life Australia Inc. extends its condolences to the Francis family.
Mrs Rita Joseph (Canberra), author of Human Rights and the Unborn Child (2009): May Babette be with God in Paradise. May He now reward all the good work she did here in earth for our families and especially for our babies. On the UN human rights mega-conference circuit, it was always an honour for me to see the way Babette worked in committee rooms. Such was her intelligent grasp on so many of the key human rights issues being debated that I can remember clearly being so proud of her as a fearless and forthright Australian.
Prof. Augusto Zimmermann, head of law, Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, WA: Babette will be terribly missed. She was an extraordinary lady — one of the most lovely and formidable persons I had the privilege to know.
Dr David and Roslyn Phillips, FamilyVoice Australia: Babette was an extraordinary woman of faith and ability and was a great support for our ministry — we published a number of her resource papers and hosted in Adelaide several gifted U.S. speakers she had sponsored. We will greatly miss her.
Bill Muehlenberg, Wisconsin-born, Melbourne-based Christian author and speaker: Babette will be sorely missed. She was a superstar whose influence will not be fully appreciated until we get to heaven. Bless you, Babette.
Tanya and Ben O'Brien, Helpers of God's Precious Infants, Victoria: The Helpers would like to express our gratitude to Babette for the many ways in which she supported our apostolate. We could always rely on her wit and encouragement whenever we were struggling in our work.
Mrs Jane Byrne, Helpers of God's Precious Infants, Melbourne: I feel so blessed to have met you, Babette, and have so many wonderful memories of working alongside you. I will always remember you for your brilliant mind and your clever and articulate words that would always inspire me and motivate action!
Mrs Jan Kronberg, president, Drug Advisory Council of Australia (DACA) Ltd, and former Victorian MP: For us early day members of the team at DACA, Babette was one of the original members and a truly exceptional person to be able to call colleague. From my perspective, Babette was a "sister-in-arms".
Prior to my involvement with DACA, Babette and I, together with many others, fought to save the unborn for years, especially leading up to and since the passing of the Victorian Parliament's Abortion Law Reform Bill of October 10, 2008.
To know Babette was to love her and to work with her was to work with someone you had to admire for her passion, commitment, intelligence, drive and unbridled love of Australia.
Michael Treacy, president, Family Council of Victoria:
Babette, you are so loved and appreciated and we will miss your constant cheerfulness and example of giving unconditionally. May you reap greatly what you have sown on earth.
