Dorothy Elizabeth Meehan

Dorothy “Dottie” Elizabeth (Sweitzer) Meehan passed away January 19, 2022, she was 96 years old. A private family service will be held at a later date. Dottie was born in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania on December 6, 1925, to Frank and Agnes Sweitzer. She grew up in Mill Hall with her older brother, Richard who was very close in age. They were both active in dance and music recitals. Their mother was an amateur photographer who constantly took photos of them. They felt tortured by this but years later we reaped the benefits. They grew up during the great depression and through WWII which shaped her ability to make ends meet and to create something from nothing. She graduated Lock Haven High School in 1943 and took a job at General Armature Corporation with the duties of switchboard operator. In 1950, she decided to spread her wings by attending McConnell Airline School in Minneapolis, Minnesota to train as an airline stewardess. She was unable to secure a position in the major airlines due to her short stature. She was immediately hired by the fledgling Frontier Airlines in Denver, Colorado. Making this move to the “Wild West” was a culture shock. She flew on the iconic DC-3 aircraft during the tail end of the Golden Age of Aviation. Her flight schedule took her up and down the front range from New Mexico to Montana. There were times that the pilots would take a flight down through the Grand Canyon. It was here that she met her future husband, Terry Meehan, the Frontier station manager from Alamosa, Colorado. They married after a brief courtship and engagement on September 29, 1951, in Denver, Colorado. where they began their family of five children. She devoted herself to her family. She learned to camp, fly fish, and canoe in the great outdoors, which made for many memorable vacations. Early on this meant washing diapers and hanging them out to dry by the open fire. She was a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, and a room mother for all the children. After Terry traveled to Montana on business, they took a family vacation and eventually moved to Lewistown purchasing a house that had been vacant for 20 years and renovated it way before renovations became a trend. She was an avid gardener. Her artistic talent was highlighted in her many flower beds. She had an eye for decorating. She eventually opened her own gift shop, The Calico Trunk. After her husband passed away, she moved to Fort Benton, Montana in 2006. Here she was active in the Chouteau County Performing Arts (CCPA), Fort Benton Visitor’s Center, and socializing with her friends. Her final move was to Great Falls in 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Agnes Sweitzer; brother, Richard; and husband, Terry. She is survived by her children, Sheila (Jim) Marsik of Great Falls, Steve Meehan of Denver, Diane (Phil) Davis of Great Falls, Maureen (Dave) Lyles of Centennial, and Dan Meehan of the Seattle area; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. “Have no remorse—my life was full and enjoyable with my beautiful family. The end was welcomed!” Memorials in Dottie’s name may be made to the Chouteau County Performing Arts or a charity of the donor’s choice.