BELFAST — Mary Virginia Dirks Snyder, 95, died peacefully at her home in Belfast on February 7, 2023, surrounded by family and under the wonderful care of the nurses and CNAs of Sussman House Hospice.

She was born Sept.23, 1927, in  Orono, Maine, where her father Charles O. Dirks, was a member of the entomology faculty at the University of Maine, Orono, and her mother, Mary Jane Clark Dirks, was a flower gardener and homemaker.  

After a successful career at Orono High, she attended the University of Maine at Orono where she graduated in 1949 with high distinction. Mary was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Gamma honorary societies and to All Maine Women.  

After graduating, she taught school in Newton, Massachusetts, then married the love of her life, Ralph M. Snyder in 1951. They moved to Belfast in 1952 where Ralph had a dental practice.

They had three children: Susan of Westford, Massachusetts, John and Jean of Topsfield, Massachusetts, and Dave of Monroe, Maine.

Mary is also survived by grandchildren Emily and Ryan Freeman, Beverly, Massachusetts, Mark Snyder and Emily Kolano of Washington D.C., and great-grandson Nolan Freeman and his imminently arriving baby sister.  

Mary was very involved in her community. While her children were growing, she served as a Girl Scout leader, contact for Sweetser Children’s Home, member and president of the Board of the Belfast Free  Library, member of the SAD 34 school board for 12 years, and member of the Waldo County General  Hospital Board of Trustees. She was a Charter Member of P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter C, Belfast, of  Travelers Club, The Garden Club, and served as a Waldo County Hospice volunteer.

She loved reading,  travel, sailing, the company of friends, and her family.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com.