Meet Patty Meehan, Dutilh Church’s New Facilities Maintenance Coordinator

On July 13, Patty Meehan will officially begin her new role as facilities maintenance coordinator for Dutilh Church. Having worked closely with her predecessor, Mark Fischer, in her current position as facilities custodian, Meehan is already familiar with the Dutilh community, the Dutilh facilities, and her new responsibilities.

A lifelong member of Baden United Methodist Church in Baden, PA, Meehan is also quite familiar with service in the church. Born in Sewickley, PA, and baptized at Baden UMC, Meehan currently volunteers in her own church as the Sunday school superintendent and as a member of the building committee.

“As superintendent, I do everything Sunday school,” Meehan explained, “from adult Sunday school to children’s programming to our nursery to VBS.” Through her ongoing experience on Baden’s building committee, Meehan has both an understanding of and appreciation for Dutilh’s “Make Room” capital campaign and building project—a boon, given the impending kickoff of construction at Dutilh and its impact on Meehan’s work in the coming months.

Meehan says she is particularly excited about the building project at Dutilh Church and watching the building change. Ultimately, Meehan said, she likes everything about her job.

“The people who work here, the hours, the people who attend Dutilh or just walk through the doors—everyone is friendly,” Meehan said.

Rev. Tom Parkinson, senior pastor, said, “Patty is not allergic to a day’s work! More than her commendable worth ethic, Patty’s passion and love for the ministry of the church make her an outstanding member of our team. She is a true servant of Christ.”

Meehan first came to Dutilh Church almost three years ago. She had been working for the past five years as a private nanny and was looking to transition because the family’s youngest child was starting school. A friend let her know that Dutilh Church was hiring, and the role seemed like a good fit.

Meehan has a wide range of professional experience as well as broad educational credentials. In school, she particularly liked science and social studies, and she studied German for nine years. After high school, Meehan completed cosmetology training and worked as a stylist while her children were young.

Once her kids were in school, Meehan earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice and worked as a bondsperson for Beaver County. When she decided to leave that job because of increasing violence, Meehan enrolled at Geneva College and earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources. She spent four years working at a daycare, leaving when one of the families made her an offer she could not turn down.

Outside of work, Meehan most enjoys spending time with her family. Though her oldest son, Chris (39), lives in Seattle, her two daughters—Jamie (37) and Chelsea (32)—are local. One of her daughters currently lives next door, which Meehan loves.

“We’re a very close family and we hang out a lot,” Meehan said. In addition to her three children, that family includes her oldest grandson, Shaun (16), her step-granddaughter Amber (almost 7), Lane (20 months), and a new baby granddaughter, due at the end of August.

Meehan also spends a lot of time at church and with friends, including a best friend she has had since age five.

Meehan said people are often surprised by the spectrum of her musical tastes.

“In one car ride, I might go from Alice Cooper to the Beatles to Led Zeppelin to K-LOVE,” Meehan said. “My range of music spans the extremes!”

Summing up her experiences, Meehan concluded, “It’s a good life. God is good.”