Patricia Jane Everly
Patricia Jane Everly, 70 years old of Midway, Pennsylvania, died March 3, 2025 in her home.
She was born September 25, 1954 in Pittsburgh, and rooted in the rolling farmlands of Cecil, Washington County, Patricia was a self-taught artist, historian, and guardian of southwestern Pennsylvania's heritage.
She was a Curator of historical exhibits at the Carnegie Science Center, Building many of the structures in the model railroad exhibit. For 30 years Patricia's hands brought history to life at the Center's Miniature railroad and Village, a beloved exhibit she described as "a love story" between art and history. Her meticulously crafted replicas, painted and repurposed objects, became portals to the past: Forbes Field where the 1960 World Series home run sealed Pittsburgh's baseball glory, to Frank Lloyd Wright's Architectural Symphony Falling Water is miniaturized to capture its harmony of stone and cascading water.
These tiny marvels, alongside steel mills, covered bridges, and homesteads, transformed the Railroad into a national treasure. Her work was celebrated in both newsprint and TV for the uncanny ability to make history feel alive.
Patricia's collaborations with the U.S.Navy's outreach programs blurred boundaries between past and present. This partnership led to a historic voyage: sailing aboard the USS Pittsburgh nuclear submarine, where she witnessed the silent precision of submarine life, an experience that fueled her leadership as President of the HNSA Historic Naval Ship Association and led to many exciting and inspiring trips to other historic naval ships around the world and across the country. She also worked on the USS Requin Submarine to restore it's historical value.
Her life's tapestry includes a star studded thread of fascinating people: including a kinship with Neil Young, forged over their shared obsession with model trains. Captivated by her miniature railroad, he became a occasional visitor to the science center, which led to backstage passes and conversations where art, music, and train intertwined. This led to her touring his California ranch, his model train display, his magical 'Car Barn', and a warehouse that housed his Buffalo Springfield Band memorabilia.
Patricia's devotion to the railroad culminated in co-authoring a centennial book, chronicling its 100 years journey. A Love Story, The Miniature Railroad & Village.
In her closing words, she wrote:
"Our dedication to local history and the craft of creating replicas is the reason we wrote this book. We wanted to share the history of the Miniature Railroad and Village and our behind the scenes stories with you. More than anything else, the support and appreciation we received from our visitors sustains the work we do."
In retirement she deepened her creative fervor. She painted landscapes of Washington County's pastoral vistas and assembled a collection of mixed-media materials for her art works.
She was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mary Jane Tarr Everly and is survived by her daughter Laura Everly and son-in-law Matthew Kirks of Midway; grandchildren James Everly of Bridgeville; Jessi Everly of Washington; Morgan Everly and Maxwell Everly both of Midway; and a sister Pamela (Dan) D'Amico of Cecil, and her three hilarious black cats.
To honor her wishes, services will be private and entrusted to the Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services 3378 Millers Run Road, Cecil, PA 15321
Visit at www.coleman-taylorfuneralservices.com