New York Times – In vivid testimonials from some of the most visible politicians in the country,Geraldine A. Ferraro was recalled on Thursday as a pioneer with “true grit” and a sense of humor who blazed a trail for future generations of women.

“Gerry and I are often linked together,” said Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who spoke at a funeral Mass for Ms. Ferraro, the former Democratic vice-presidential candidate and congresswoman from Queens. “She is seen correctly as paving the way for my political career and those of many other women. We owe her so much. She inspired us women and girls. All of us thought new thoughts and imagined new possibilities because of Gerry.”

Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale said that after Ms. Ferraro became his running mate in the 1984 presidential race, making her the first female candidate for vice president from a major party, she suggested that it might help if he “treated her as if she were a male, white-haired senator from Texas.”

Mr. Mondale said that the path Ms. Ferraro took was not an easy one. During a vice-presidential debate, “George Bush offered to explain to her foreign policy,” Mr. Mondale recalled. “Every day, she was patronized in a way not experienced by male candidates. If they ever make another movie about true grit, it should be about Gerry.”

The service for Ms. Ferraro, who died Saturday at age 75 after a long battle with cancer, took place on an overcast day at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, at Lexington Avenue and 66th Street, where Ms. Ferraro married John Zaccaro in 1960. Amid the presence of many dignitaries, including members of theDemocratic Party’s old guard, the ritual proceeded smoothly as mourners, many carrying umbrellas in the light rain, ascended the church’s stairs and the service began.

Speakers at the service, which lasted more than two hours, referred repeatedly to the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco, when Ms. Ferraro took the stage and said: “My name is Geraldine Ferraro. I stand before you to proclaim tonight: America is the land where dreams can come true.”

Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright recalled “those huge crowds of mothers and fathers who held up their daughters to see her” on the ’84 campaign trail. Mrs. Clinton said that she and her husband were just people, having their daughter, Chelsea, then 4, bring a flower for Ms. Ferraro when she visited Little Rock, Ark.

The Mass was infused with a sense of family, given the presence of Ms. Ferraro’s three children, all of whom spoke, and eight grandchildren, three of whom offered readings during the service. The public officials present greeted one another warmly, and shook hands to wish each other well during the service’s Rite of Peace.

Speakers referred to the increase in the number of women in elected office since Ms. Ferraro’s run for vice president.

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