Dr. Patricia McGeehan Leaves Huge Legacy on Bayonne Public Schools

BAYONNE, NJ - Although the word “legacy” is used to describe the accomplishments of many people, a description of what Patricia McGeehan did in her tenure as teacher, principal, and eventually superintendent cannot be overstated.

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Dr. Patricia McGeehan, who passed away on Oct. 3, 2024, was an icon of Bayonne, her death marking the end of a significant chapter of the city.

Dr. McGeehan began her career in education as a teacher at the Lincoln Community School. She would go on to serve as principal of the Mary J. Donohoe School, Roberson School, and the Midtown Community. In July 2000, she was appointed Superintendent of Schools, a position which she held for seventeen years.

"For over 50 years, she dedicated her life to the Bayonne community, the Bayonne School District, and most importantly, to the children she cherished so deeply,” said John J. Niesz, Bayonne's current Superintendent of Schools.  “She worked in her family’s restaurant, Burke’s, a long-time favorite in Bayonne, and was a social worker for a short time. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher in the 1960s at Lincoln School. She went on to have an illustrious career as a principal at Donohoe School, Roberson School, and Midtown Community. In 2000 Dr. McGeehan was made superintendent for the district and served in that role until her retirement in 2017. Through her tenure, she was known for her vision, leadership, and relentless advocacy for students and staff alike.”

Niesz said it was not uncommon for Dr. McGeehan to work a 12 to 14-hour work day, attending every athletic competition, musical production, memorial service, and community event regardless of the location or time of day.

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“Even with these demands on her time, she fostered community relationships and led many innovative programs,” Niesz said. “She was the president of the Bayonne Education Foundation, initiated the Learn Not to Burn initiative with the Saint Barnabas Burn Center after one of her students was badly burned in a house fire, served as a trustee at the Bayonne Medical Center, was on the Stevens Institute of Technology Advisory Council, a proud Rotarian, and was appointed in 2007 by the Commissioner of Education to the prestigious NJ State Board of Examiners. She will be missed deeply, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Dr. McGeehan “Patsy” will never be forgotten."

In 1997, Dr. McGeehan earned her Doctorate in Education/Administration from Seton Hall University. She also received her New Jersey Administrator Certificate, New Jersey Supervisor/Principal's Certificate, and MA in Elementary Education from Seton Hall. She was a graduate of the College of Saint Elizabeth with a BA in Economics and a graduate of the Academy of Saint Aloysius High School and Elementary School.

Since 2000, under the leadership of Superintendent McGeehan, the Bayonne School District received Principals Honor Council Excellence Awards in all schools. The school district received New Jersey Best Practices recognition for the Vroom School, Midtown Community School, Mary J. Donohoe, Washington Community and Bayonne High School and also Governor School Recognition for Philip G. Vroom and Mary J. Donohoe Schools. National honors were designated to Midtown Community School, Washington School and the Oresko School as Blue-Ribbon Schools under her supervision and guidance.

The expansion of all-day kindergarten, the opening of preschool education for four-year-old students, and the innovative Academy Program at Bayonne High School in STEM education, performing arts, vocational, business education, and health & medicine programs were successfully implemented under her creative and innovative leadership.

During Dr. McGeehan's tenure as principal of the Midtown Community School, the school was named a National Blue-Ribbon School and New Jersey Star School and received a New Jersey Best Practice for Curriculum Technology. Additionally, in 1995, the Midtown Community School was named Redbook Outstanding School and received the National Center Community Education Award. Dr. McGeehan was able to form partnerships with Stevens Institute of Technology and the Dodge Foundation affording the school with many opportunities through grants and other programs.

Dr. McGeehan was a member of many associations and organizations. She held membership in the New Jersey Administrators Association, New Jersey School Board Association, National and New Jersey Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Seton Hall University Doctoral Association and was a member of the Bayonne Public School Administrator's Association, serving as treasurer. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Society, New Jersey Principal's Center and the Seton Hall Alumni Association. She was a member of the New Jersey State Board of Examiners that monitors teacher performance and credentials and Stevens Institute of Technology Advisory Council and N.J.C.U. Administrator Advisory Council.

Her extensive community involvement is evident by the many awards presented to Dr. McGeehan by various civic/community organizations. She was a Bayonne Medical Center Trustee and Chairperson of the St. Barnabas Burn Foundation and was Vice President of the Simpson Baber Foundation for the Autistic and was the founding President of the Bayonne Education Foundation

She served as chairperson of the American Conference on Diversity, and a member of the Bayonne YMCA Board of Directors, Bayonne Community Day Nursery Board of Directors, Bayonne Holocaust Committee, St. Peter's Prep Mothers' Club and the Holy Family Academy Advisory Board. Dr. McGeehan was the recipient of the Simpson Baber Foundation Humanitarian Award, St. Barnabas Burn Foundation Humanitarian Award, Bayonne High School Choral Parent Association Award, Christopher Columbus Community Service Award, Bayonne Community Mental Health Center Woman's Recognition Award, NAACP President's Award, City of Bayonne Citizen Award, Bayonne Fire Prevention Department Educator Award, New Jersey FMBA Local 11 Educator's Award, Ireland's 32 Outstanding Achiever Award, the Jersey Journal Woman of Achievement Award, the United Way, Mary T. Norton Congressional Award, the Elks Club Recognition of Leadership, the Distinguished Woman of the Distinction of the Girls Scouts of Greater Essex and Hudson Counties and the 2010 Bayonne Rotarian of the Year, the Bayonne Jewish Community Center Leadership Award Recipient, 2012 Rotary International District Honoree, Walter D. Head Foundation Award winner, and recognized by the Hudson County Bar Association for outstanding support in Hudson County Vicinage 2013 Law Day Program.

She was also recognized by the Bayonne Chapter of UNICO organization along with the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce Legend Award and tributes from Bayonne Veterans Organizations in Bayonne.

Perhaps one of her most significant contributions goes beyond the borders of Bayonne. Very early in her career, she envisioned the need for resources to deal with rising numbers of autism, and helped create programs that were far ahead of most other communities in the state and in the nation.

She was the mother of three children – Vincent "Biff" McGeehan (Patty), Patrick McGeehan (Kerri) and Marjorie Kobryn (Scott) and grandmother of ten – Kristen, Megan, Paige, Sarah, Brennan, Shane, Tyler, Troy, Trevor and Lexi.

“Dr. McGeehan’s intellect and devotion to her work was only outmatched by her grace,” said Mayor Jimmy Davis. “Her work has left an indelible mark on generations of Bayonne’s children. Her legacy of dedication and commitment to the betterment of Bayonne is what we should all aspire to, and she will be greatly missed! Rest in Peace, Patsy.”

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