Mary Helen Marshall

Mary Helen Marshall of Ord, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Arbor Care Center in Ord at the age of 81.

Mary Helen was born April 5, 1944, in Los Angeles, California. During her childhood she lived in many places, including California, Oregon, Texas, Guam, and Colorado due to her father’s service in the United States Army. He was a Bronze Star recipient who later died of polio in Colorado while serving as a Warrant Officer. Eventually her family settled in Ord, where she graduated from Ord High School in 1962. After graduating, she attended the Webb Davis School of Modeling in Hollywood, California.

On November 10, 1962, Mary married Donald Ray Marshall, beginning a partnership that would shape both their family and their community. In 1967, the couple opened Marshall Photography, a studio that became well known throughout the area. Mary was Ray’s partner in every sense of the word. While Ray captured the image, Mary worked alongside him—directing people, arranging groups, making sure everyone looked their best, and helping create the relaxed moments that turned into lasting photographs. Their studio documented weddings, family milestones, and community events for decades, preserving memories for countless families. Their work also earned recognition within the profession, including honors at the many professional photographers' conferences throughout the Midwest.

Mary believed strongly in being involved and giving back to her community. Over the years she held numerous leadership roles and volunteered her time to organizations that supported local families and young people. She served as past president of the Ord PTA, worked with Future Business Leaders of America, and was active in 4-H, helping mentor young people in leadership and presentation skills.

She was a member of the Ord Business and Professional Women’s Organization, which honored her with the Woman of Achievement Award in 1980 for her service and leadership. Mary also served as past president of the VFW Auxiliary, helped organize and start the Ord Ladies Golf League, and was a member of the Ord Chamber of Commerce, where she was recognized for her contributions to the organization.

Mary was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord and was also an active member of the OHS Alumni Committee.

While she devoted much of her time to family and community, Mary also knew how to enjoy life. She loved golfing, fishing, canoeing, socializing with friends, playing pranks, and sharing cocktails and laughter with those around her. She baked cakes for many funerals and was well known for her rum and Kahlúa cakes, which she often gave as Christmas gifts to friends and family. Music was another joy in her life, and she especially enjoyed songs by artists such as Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.

Mary was preceded in death by her infant son, Matthew Dillon Marshall; her father, Frank W. Banks; her mother, Veronica “Virginia” Thompson; her stepfather, Robert Thompson; her husband, Donald Ray Marshall; and her granddaughter, Tessa Ray Snyder.

She is survived by her daughters, Mitzi and Russ Snyder of Rockton, Illinois, and Marci and Rus Biven of Omaha, Nebraska; her brother, Thomas and Patricia Banks of Omaha, Nebraska; her sisters, Ann and Rod Dietrich of Lincoln, Nebraska, Nancy Grandt of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jane and Tom Klanecky of Ord, Nebraska; her grandchildren, Tegan and Danielle Snyder of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, Marshall Biven and Sydney Wurdeman of Omaha, Nebraska, and Joshua Biven of Omaha, Nebraska; and her great-grandchildren, Arlo Snyder and Jude Snyder of Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

To honor Mary’s wishes, there will not be any services held. Her family will have an informal gathering and inurnment in the Ord Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Arbor Care Center in Ord.

Cards of condolence may be mailed to Mitzi Snyder, 4380 Jannel Dr Rockton, IL 61072 or Marci Biven, 5030 Hamilton, Omaha, NE 68132. 

Mary will be remembered for her warmth, leadership, sense of humor, and the many ways she helped bring people together in the Ord community.