Longtime diocesan employee bids farewell

Intermountain Catholic

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Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general (standing), jokes during the farewell celebration for Lisa Cooper (center).

SALT LAKE CITY — On Sept. 23, the Diocese of Salt Lake City held a farewell celebration for Lisa Cooper, an employee for 26 years.

For two decades, Cooper was the diocese’s internal auditor; her most recent position was as an accountant for Utah Catholic Schools.

During the going-away party, Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar emeritus, recalled hiring Cooper. Then, the Most Rev. George H. Niederauer was bishop of the diocese, “and he knew we can count on her,” Msgr. Fitzgerald said. “It’s very sad to see her now leaving.”

Msgr. Fitzgerald recalled that Cooper began serving at the diocese when her son was just 2 years old, and “by herself she raised him. He is now an Anglican minister in Canada.”

For Cooper to have raised a child by herself while working in a professional setting, and for her son to have such faith is a tribute to her, Msgr. Fitzgerald said, adding that Cooper was always quiet, helpful and a good example.

“Lisa always minded her own business; she worked hard wherever she was,” he said.

Then, speaking directly to Cooper, he said, “Lisa, you have been a wonderful presence here, a very good example of someone that is very professional and dedicated to their work. … Thank you very much.”

Echoing his words, Susan Northway, director of the diocesan Office of Faith Formation, said that Cooper was an example to follow.

“Thank you, Lisa, for being calm and kind and patient. … That is something we all need to remember and something that the world should be,” Northway said.

Cooper’s most recent supervisor, Superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools Mark Longe, also thanked her for her service.

“She has been in our office for three years, and in my 30 years in the diocese I have never worked with anyone that works as hard as you,” Longe told Cooper.

“She comes to work and is entirely focused on her job, which she takes great pride in,” Longe said.

He recalled that when he told school principals that Cooper was moving on, they all exclaimed, “What are we going to do now?”

“These are some big shoes to fill,” Longe said, adding that the principals told him they very much appreciated Cooper’s presence. “She has done a lot for all of our schools. She has worked with the accountants, answering all type of financial questions. … Lisa, I wish you well, and know the door is always open. We will all miss you.”

Cooper said she was saddened to leave the diocese.

“I’ve been happy, and I’ve been thankful to have been able to serve God,” she said.