Helen McEldowney "Mac" Patterson was the granddaughter of the late Henry Clay and Belle Doyle McEldowney. She established the fund in honor of her grandparents to support urban outreach ministries programs for children and adults, with a priority to those under direction of or sanctioned by the Pittsburgh Diocese of the Anglican Communion. Helen passed away in July of 2011.
Born and raised in Johnstown, Helen moved to Pittsburgh with her family in her junior year of high school. She graduated from the Ellis School and went on to study at Smith College where she was a competitive swimmer and member of the scientific research society, Sigma Xi. She received a degree in physics in 1941.
She married Lt. Robert L. Darrah of Massachusetts, who was killed in France during WWII. She remarried William W. Patterson III of Sewickley.
She was active in a number of philanthropic organizations, serving on the church vestry of St. Stephen's Church where she was first chairperson of the endowment and parish life committees there.
When she was young, she also bred, raised and showed cocker spaniels. She loved to ski, enjoyed golf and jogging and was a member of the 80+ ski club.
Type of Fund
- Special Purpose