Patricia M. Dean

Patricia (Pat) M. Dean, 93, of Exton, PA (formerly West Chester, PA), passed away peacefully at Barclay Friends Home on August 30, 2022.  Her mother was Odette Miles, and father was Thomas C. Miles, both deceased.  Born in Far Hills, NJ, her family moved to West Chester, where she graduated from West Chester High School and finished her education at Vermont Junior College. Pat was the wife of William H. Dean, Jr. (Bill) who passed away in 2005. Her sister Louise and brother Thomas also preceded her in death. Bill and Pat shared 55 years of marriage, with 2 children, Timothy (Deborah), and Christopher (Canaan).  Five grandchildren include Scott Dean (Kelly), Kevin Dean, Sarah Kerner (Jason), Rachel Dean and Eric Dean.  She loved and cherished her 5 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and connected with them frequently.  Pat also loved her many nieces and nephews.

She was an active member of the Church of the Holy Trinity in West Chester since 1937.  They both served in many ways with their church family, Bill being on the Vestry, as well as Pat serving on the Altar Guild, Church Library, and several women’s ministries.  One of their fond remembrances was seeing the merger of the Church of the Ascension into Holy Trinity in 1966.  Pat and Bill always welcomed a very diverse church membership into Holy Trinity.  

Pat’s caring legacy touched so many people outside her family as well, for friends and neighbors who came to her for a listening ear and encouragement, always making the other person feel accepted and loved.  Many friends were made throughout her working career as an Assistant Librarian in the West Chester School District.  She also enjoyed being a member of Valley Garden Club, as well as volunteering at Chester County Library and Chester County Day.  Travel was a favorite pastime for Bill and Pat, after Bill’s retirement as Editor of the Daily Local News.  They visited many national parks, along with trips to Europe. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Church of the Holy Trinity, 212 South High Street, West Chester, PA 19382. Attn:  Patricia Dean memorial.  The family is grateful for the compassionate care she received at Chester County Hospital, Barclay Friends Home, and the Penn Hospice team.  

Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be at Church of the Holy Trinity on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 11 am.  Burial will be private.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380 610-696-1181; DellaFH.com