Mary Louise Snyder

Mary Louise White Snyder, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother returned home to heaven this week. She was 88 years old. She was born June 17, 1930 to Alfonzo Giles White and Sarah Vail Clement White in Duchesne, Utah. She was the second oldest of eight children. She passed away November 27, 2018 in Cortez, Colorado
Mary had a wonderful childhood growing up with her 3 sisters and 4 brothers. They often sang together as they worked doing their chores. The family grew a large garden; and had animals to take care of.
Because of her perfect pitch, Mary had a beautiful singing voice and was asked to sing at weddings, funerals, and other events like high school graduations, assemblies, etc. She, and her sisters, Dixie and Alleen, often sang trios together at assemblies. Mary’s whole family was asked to sing at family Christmas parties, and reunions.
Mary was very good at softball and basketball and dancing. Mary and Dixie were always wanted on the softball teams because they could really hit the softball a long way.
Mary met Robert “Bob” Snyder in September 1946. They dated and were married on July 13, 1947 in Duchesne, Utah. To this union, they were blessed with four children. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. In 1950, Bob and Mary moved to Rico, Colorado where Bob became employed with the Rico Argentine Mining Company. Later, Mary also worked for the mine for several years as an assayer, testing the ore samples that came from the mill; the heads and the tailings. They lived there for 22 years until the mine closed.
Mary, being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, taught her children the gospel of Jesus Christ in her home, even though there was no branch in Rico for many years. The people in Rico loved to come and eat one of Mary’s homemade donuts. The neighborhood children also loved coming once a week to make homemade ice cream in the six-quart, hand-cranked ice cream maker.
While living in Rico, Mary’s sister, Jessie, taught her how to make homemade chocolates. This is a family tradition at Christmas time, even now.
After the Rico Argentine Mine closed, they moved to Silverton in 1972 where Bob got a job with Standard Metals Mining Corporation. Mary continued to make the homemade chocolates, donuts, bread, all the wonderful things to eat. In Silverton, she also made large decorated Easter Eggs made of divinity or caramel, and large peppermint patties to help raise money for the small Silverton Branch. They were in Silverton for 13 years until the job ended. They moved to the family property just southwest of Rico in 1985 to come take care of Bob’s father, Robert A. Snyder. They have lived there ever since.
Surviving Mary are her husband of 71 years, Robert; her two sons Ron (Sherry) Snyder, and Ray (Sharon) Snyder, two daughters, Kathryn White and Ann (Clair) Larsen; one sister, Jessie Smith; two brothers Winton (Kathleen) White, and Clay (Lorna) White; 3 sisters-in-law, Carol White, Ila (Jimmy) Starks; and Ruby (Cliff) Meyer; one brother-in-law, Norman Hardman; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family; 22 living grandchildren and 71 great grandchildren, with two in the oven! We love you and we miss you. We will see you later.
Memorial contributions can be made in Mary's name to the humanitarian charity of your choice or perform an act of service for someone in need.