Yesterday a milestone for one of our fans

Yesterday the children of the choir school marked the 95th birthday of Irene Sweeney, a long-serving member of the school board and generous benefactor. Irene resides at St. Joseph's Villa, and it was my pleasure to visit with her yesterday together with Advancement Director Joanna Wheelton. We delivered a great quantity of cards produced by our students.

Miss Sweeney came to Utah as an employee of the League of Women Voters, an organization to which she devoted the early years of her career. Prior to this, she served in the Army and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at a young age (there is talk that she is one of the first women to have held this rank as well.)

Irene has been a very devoted member of the Cathedral parish, with an active membership of over fifty years. She has served in countless leadership positions, of which the most significant may be her efforts on behalf of the restoration of the Cathedral she had grown to love. She was one of the driving forces behind the $10 million fundraising effort to restore the Madeleine.

She continues to be a very generous supporter of the Choir School and Cathedral, and has played no small role in mentoring those of us who continue these efforts today.

Happy 95th Birthday Irene, and may God bless you for your wonderful stewardship in support of the Choir School!