"She worked tirelessly defending the rights of the unborn by prayer, sacrifice, vigils, marches, and pickets."
Not only was she very generous and active in helping the Resistance (and let's face it -- that was pretty difficult humanly speaking, since the Resistance had to START FROM SCRATCH materially. It wasn't exactly "the winning side" or "the path of convenience". Moreover, it's hard to psychologically cut bait from an organization (SSPX) you have poured your heart and money into for several decades!)...
...she also labored against Abortion, one of the 4 sins that cries out to heaven for vengeance (willful murder).
Both of these labors are extremely meritorious, and this kind of useful fighting for Christ the King must be pleasing to Our Lord and Our Lady.
I want to apply the word "manfully" to Irene, as a compliment. I got this idea from Holy Scripture, which uses this term almost as a synonym for "having the virtue of Fortitude to a high degree".
Judith 15:11
For thou hast done manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened, because thou hast loved chastity, and after thy husband hast not known any other: therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened thee, and therefore thou shalt be blessed for ever.
Recall that Judith was an image of Our Lady -- another great woman whose courage should always be praised. Our Lady didn't collapse or break down in weakness -- she followed Our Lord all the way to Calvary, and underwent all His sufferings WITH HIM as a co-redemptrix. She was the model of femininity, but wasn't "weak" by any means. She had the kind of strength that God intended for an ideal woman to have.
Think of all the strong men in the neo-SSPX who have done nothing -- NOTHING -- to help the true cause of Tradition (the Resistance). These men need to pray for the virtue of fortitude. And think of all the men who could be doing something to fight for the cause of good, but they prefer comforts, amusements, and worldly pleasures instead. They may have testosterone, but they do not act "manfully".
And think of all the weaklings, much younger than her, who are afraid and unwilling to inconvenience themselves by leaving the SSPX and "starting over again" as they perhaps did in the 1970's or 1980's when they were younger.
Do you think a 72 year old wished for all the inconvenience of helping organize and start a new chapel from scratch? Of course not. Only the love of God could motivate someone to do the right thing, especially when that "right thing" goes against human nature.
It is beautiful to see something good (rather than evil) for a change. It is good to see someone well-disposed for Heaven, in an age when so many are rushing headlong into Hell.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have been very edified by her (and her husband's) example. They are both very charitable and generous with God. And we all know that God is the richest of Kings, and will not be outdone in generosity...
Requiem aeternam, dona ei, Domine.
Viva Cristo Rey!