Marie Snyder

"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25)

On Nov. 26, 2025, our beloved and beautiful Mom, Marie Bellomo Snyder, a resident of Forty Fort for over 65 years, passed peacefully at home into eternal life with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was 99 years young and was surrounded by the love of her family.

Born Oct. 9, 1926, in Hanover Township to Italian immigrants, Giuseppe "Joseph" Bellomo and Rosa "Rose" Sciarra Bellomo, Marie was one of eight children raised in a home filled with love, strong family bonds, and a deep Catholic faith. Her personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, strong prayer life, devotion to the Blessed Mother, and steadfast Catholic faith were central to her "lived faith" and gave her strength and joy throughout her long life.

Marie graduated from the former St. Leo's High School in Ashley, earning a scholarship to Marywood College, with dreams of becoming a teacher. Following the untimely passing of her father just before her high school graduation, she set aside those aspirations to help support her family. She later graduated from the former Wilkes-Barre Business College, and worked for more than 15 years as a dental hygienist, skilled dental lab technician, and office manager for Dr. Edward Makowski in Wilkes-Barre.

In 1958, Marie married the love of her life, Charles C. Snyder Jr., whom she had met on a blind date years before. Together, they raised two sons, guiding them with unconditional love and an unwavering faith in God. Motherhood was Marie's greatest joy, and she and Charles were deeply involved in every aspect of their sons' lives. Marie's abiding love for and devotion to her children were constants throughout her life.

Marie's beloved husband, Charles, passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 1984, leaving her heartbroken after only 25 years of marriage. After his passing, she sold the family's plumbing and heating business, which she managed, and later worked in the main office of Acme Markets in Forty Fort until its closure in 1995. Marie later worked for the Offices of Mental Health and Children and Youth in Wilkes-Barre, retiring at the remarkable age of 87 in 2013.

A devout member of the former Holy Name of Jesus Church in Swoyersville, now consolidated into Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Marie was an active participant in parish life for decades. She had a profound love for children and dedicated more than 50 years to teaching CCD, lovingly guiding generations of young people to a deeper relationship with the Lord and to a stronger understanding of their Catholic faith.

Marie was known to be a beacon of light, love, joy, and faith with a heart of gold. Her infectious smile and laughter brightened any room she entered. Her compassion, wisdom, and the gift of making others feel seen and understood left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Whether offering emotional comfort, supporting charitable causes, providing for others' needs, lending a helping hand or simply listening with her whole heart, Marie touched countless lives in simple yet profound ways. A natural peacemaker, she brought people together and lived by the spiritual lessons revealed in the Prodigal Son, The Good Samaritan, and The Sermon on the Mount.

A gifted storyteller, Marie often shared vivid memories of growing up during the Great Depression and her Italian-American upbringing. She recounted life lessons from a different time, capturing the essence of an era. She loved to convey myriad stories of her beautiful family life with her parents and siblings and innumerable detailed recollections such as how she and her siblings collected old items for the ragman and earning five cents, tending to the coal stove, fetching ice blocks that were delivered for the "ice box", crafting toys from household items and how her beloved 'Nonno" (grandfather) would let her have a few sips of home-made wine at the age of 4 years while she and her sister, Lucy, sat at his feet and listened to stories of the "old country". She always said, "we may not have had a lot, but we didn't know it because our family was filled with love and we had a deep faith in God."

Marie's home was a place of warmth and welcome, where all enjoyed her generous hospitality and spirited conversations on many topics, including faith, politics, and current events. She had a sharp mind, was an engaging conversationalist, avidly followed current events, and could solve mystery or crime movies within the first five minutes — a skill that often won her bets.

Marie cherished her visits to New York City with her sons, especially to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the theater. She delighted in walks through Central Park and in friendships she formed there over the years. She loved spending time at the ocean, particularly vacations to the Jersey Shore and the coast of Maine. She marveled at all of God's creation, even if it were to simply observe the birds as they responded to her singing or just sit in awe of the grandeur of the mountains or sky; she always proclaimed, "if you don't take time to be amazed by all of God's magnificent creation, you are not living fully".

Victor returned home from New York City over 4 years ago, and he and his brother, Charles, devoted themselves to ensuring their Mom's comfort and independence in her home.

Mom, we praise God for the gift of your life and for richly blessing us with you as our Mother – you were our best friend, rock and guiding light — we will forever love you and trust that we will be reunited in God's time.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Giuseppe and Rosa Bellomo; her husband, Charles; and her siblings, Florence Amendola, Antoinette Kotalik, Carmella Bellomo, Michael Bellomo, Lucy McDermott, Orlando Bellomo, and Peggy Yackimovich.

She is survived by her sons, Charles, Forty Fort; and Victor, New York City; as well as her nieces and nephews, and beloved friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Marie's funeral services which will begin with visitation from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Friday in St. John the Baptist Church, 126 Nesbitt St., Larksville, followed by a Holy Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. The Rev. Father Gerald J. Gurka, pastor, will officiate.

Private entombment with the Rite of Committal will follow in the Mary, Mother of God Mausoleum in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hanover Township.

The Snyder Family entrusted Marie's funeral arrangements to the care of Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.

To share a memory of Marie or a message of condolence with her family, visit www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com or the funeral home's Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Holy Masses be offered for Marie through the Seraphic Mass Association, 5217 Butler St., Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, or at mymassrequest.org. Contributions may also be made to Pennsylvanians for Human Life, 31 Hanover St., Wilkes Barre, PA 18702.

"You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)