Carolyn Mateer

1925 - 2022

Carolyn Snyder Mateer, 97, of Columbia, MD, passed away August 3, 2022 from complications of pneumonia. She was born in Baltimore to the late Bruce and Jessie Snyder and grew up in Shirleysburg, PA.

Carolyn received her bachelor's degree from Penn State University. She began her professional career by teaching elementary school in the Steelton-Highspire School System in Steelton, Pa., eventually receiving a Master's Degree in Library Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She worked as a librarian at the Harrisburg Community College in Harrisburg, PA, Penn State Harrisburg, and Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH. In 1979 she accepted the position of Head of Reference at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA and ended her career as the Library Development Officer retiring in 1992. She moved to the Columbia, MD, area in 2002.

Carolyn possessed a keen intellect and was an excellent speaker and writer. She taught several classes on Charles Dickens, and many other authors and topics she loved. She had a lifelong insatiable curiosity and desire to learn about a wide range of topics. Though she loved to travel, her favorite pastime was reading and collecting books on various subjects.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her brother Bruce Snyder of Ft, Lauderdale, FL. Leaving behind to cherish her memory are her son Dr. Joseph Mateer (Dr Norma), her daughter Elizabeth Mateer Harris (Mark), grandson Marcus Mateer (Rebekah), granddaughter Katelyn Mateer, step granddaughter Bryn Harris, great granddaughter Clara Mateer, step grandson Michael Hill, step granddaughter Maya Hill, and numerous nephews and nieces.

She will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Library Association.