Farewell to a Friend

October 27, 2009  

It took three services in two states to memorialize her; that’s how special Lisa Barry Kerouac was. The events were celebrations of a memorable friend and colleague whose vibrant personality made everyone around her feel good, even when she didn’t.

She left instructions that forbade suits, ties and mournful clothing. Always the planner, and always thinking of others, she wanted those who gathered in her name to be comfortable and colorful, words that described her well.  

Lisa was an associate director in DePaul’s Office of Admission who joined DePaul in 2001 from Valparaiso University, her alma mater, where she launched her admission career. Just two years later, shortly after she completed her first Danskin Triathlon as a fund-raiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 35. 

Mission-based organizations attract a certain type of employee, and DePaul is a place where people in need are embraced. That’s what her colleagues did for Lisa, and that’s what she did for them.  

In an era when so many don’t have adequate health care, Lisa was comforted by her DePaul benefits. A friend at another institution experienced a major health issue and lost her job. But Lisa’s experience at DePaul was different. She was able to work at home in the later years on days when she could not make the nearly 100-mile round trip commute. She created a part-time schedule to accommodate more chemo and recovery time, enabling her to keep making collegiate dreams come true. When the time came, long-term disability was the right option. 

A movie premiered in 2007 about two terminally ill men who inventoried the things they wanted to do before they died. A bucket list was much too negative for Lisa, who was the essence of positivity. She made hers a life list to which she added potential experiences as she thought of them and crossed them off as she fulfilled them.  

A colleague was inspired to grow a mullet and sold the opportunity to shave his head to the highest bidder. Coupled with impromptu collections from the office, thousands of dollars were donated to finance little luxuries for Lisa. 

As she became less able to do things around the house, colleagues arranged professional cleaning services. As Lisa and her husband became too exhausted to cook, gift certificates for carry out restaurants near their home materialized. She visited New York City; she swam with dolphins; she dined at Charlie Trotter’s. All thrilling experiences front-loaded with fun to offset a life that would last half as long as all who loved her would have preferred.  

Lisa was overwhelmed by her colleagues’ daily expressions of love and support. “Your kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness have touched both Ed and I very deeply,” she e-mailed us. “Thank you just does not seem to give your actions enough justice. While there were many things that attracted me to DePaul, the people are certainly what have left the greatest impression in my mind and in my heart.” 

Lisa, too, left quite an impression on her colleagues.