On Dec. 9, Patricia “Patty” Jackman Meyering passed away at the age of 63, peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones, after her 10-year battle with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).
Born in Rockville Centre, N.Y., Patricia was one of four children to Henry and Nancy Jackman. As a graduate from St. Agnes School, Patty was known for her intelligence, leadership skills, and talent for tap dance. Patty attended Bucknell University where she majored in Sociology and Spanish. She met many of her lifelong friends at Bucknell, especially through the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and she spent her life proudly representing the fleur-de-lis and KKG’s “Tradition of Leadership.” After college, Patty wished to commence a career promoting inspirational college experiences like the one she had at Bucknell, so she obtained her Master’s in Higher Education Administration at George Washington University. Through that program, she worked at the Residence Life Office at neighboring Georgetown University, where she supervised a young Resident Assistant who would later become her husband, Chris. At 26, Patty sought new challenges and pursued a Master’s of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School; where after, she began her career in financial services in New York at the American Express Company. She remained in financial services until retiring from GE Capital as an Executive Vice President. In 1986, Patty and Chris were married in St. Agnes Cathedral, Rockville Centre, N.Y. They had their first of three daughters in 1989 and settled into the community of Greenwich, CT. Patty raised her daughters with endless support and unconditional love. She demonstrated ambition and perseverance as a young mother climbing the corporate ladder, while simultaneously reinforcing the values of compassion, empathy, and service. She ensured that her career obligations did not prevent her from engaging in her numerous charitable and volunteer activities, much less failing to frost the countless cupcakes she made for the endless children’s events she enjoyed. Even when she retired, Patty continued to commit herself to service as being the Parent Volunteer at Bella House of Greenwich High School for many years and the Board President for the River House Adult Day Center. She was an active participant in the Ladies 9-holers of Innis Arden Golf Club in Old Greenwich, CT. When her battle with CIDP made golf more difficult than it already was, she took her competitive spirit to the bridge and mahjong tables, which she enjoyed with a loyal group of friends up until her hospitalization one year prior to her death.
She is survived by her husband, Christopher Paul, her three daughters, Kara Anne, Kelly Elizabeth, and Kristin Marie, her daughter’s fiancé Andrew Rennie of Providence, R.I., her sister Kathleen of New London, CT, and of course her favorite grand-dogs. Her family is sure that she is watching over them while finally be able to enjoying a well-deserved glass of chardonnay and playing bridge with her parents, brothers, and dogs.
A wake was held Dec. 13 at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service was held Dec. 14 at St. Catherine of Siena Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Patty’s name to Hospital For Special Surgery ALS Research Fund, sent to Department of Neurology, Hospital For Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021. Attention Mona Shahbazi. Special thanks to Patty’s medical support team for their warmth and care through her battle with CIDP; they include among many others Dr. Dale Lange at HSS and all of their dedicated staff members.
