Irene Sweeney

Intermountain Catholic

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SALT LAKE CITY — Irene Cecelia Sweeney, 96, died June 23, 2011.

Sweeney was born March 2, 1915 to Daniel Sweeney and Mary Morrin Sweeney. She was one of the first women enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps, serving with the 7th Service Command. She earned the rank of lieutenant colonel and was discharged with many service commendations and medals. Working for the League of Women Voters of the United States, she was instrumental in opening branches in the Western states, which brought her to Utah and Emigration Canyon, where she presided longer than any other resident.

A lifelong Catholic, Sweeney was a member of the Cathedral of the Madeleine parish for over 50 years. Being of great generosity, she was a founding member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, served as chairwoman of the Diocesan Development Drive, and was on numerous boards and committees for her parish and the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, in addition to numerous civic organizations. She was a pivotal member of the Committee for the Restoration of the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

Sweeney received many papal honors including Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice in 1989, Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1993, the Bronze Palm from the EOHSJ in 2008, and Dame in the Pontifical Order of Saint Gregory the Great in 2001. She was a Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and has been honored for service by Catholic Community Services of Utah, Utah Issues, the "Intermountain Catholic" newspaper, Christus St. Joseph Villa, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Madeleine Choir School, and the League of Women Voters. Sweeney was one of the original board members of Family Health Plan (FHP), the first HMO in Utah.

She is survived by a sister, Ruth M. Noack, St. Cloud, Minn.; niece Mary Jo Sweeney, Geoffrey Ballantyne and their son, Michael Ballantyne, Dora Rodriguez and Cheo Munoz; and several nieces nephews in various parts of the country.

A funeral Mass was celebrated June 28, at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Committal will be at Saint Brenden’s Catholic Cemetery in Green Isle, Minn.