Marlie Snider: A life of love and service
September 28, 2005
“I knew her for 35 years. She was a consistently friendly kind of person. Whenever you talked to her there was a friendliness, a smile, and you knew it was real.” – Allan Kotanen, Associate Director of Student Life
“It didn’t matter where you came from, she just took you in.” – Bonnie Rai, Front Desk
“Her humility, gentleness, and faithfulness are the rare virtues that made Marlie’s friendship priceless. She was truly the First Lady of Trinity Western.” – Dr. Tom Bulick, former Vice President of Student Life
“There’s nothing about Marlie I wouldn’t want others to know,” Dr. Snider smiles warmly at me from across the table in his office, “She was the most unaffected, be-who-you-are kind of person that I ever knew… and that’s what everybody remarked about.”
Margaret Leslie Marlie Payne was born in Toronto in 1933. It became obvious from a young age that God had put a song in Marlie’s heart, and her passion and ability for music were quickly nurtured by parents Les and Margaret. She grew up singing in choirs and musicals, and eventually attended Briercrest Bible Institute in Saskatchewan, where she became a featured soloist in choirs and radio ministries. It was at Briercrest that she met Neil Snider, her future husband.
As I sit with Neil Snider, Ph.D., President of Trinity Western University, I don’t see an invincible man whose credentials boast of his determination and resilience – I see a broken man who misses his wife terribly.
“I had no idea that adjustment would be this difficult,” he says. “It’s like I’ve had an amputation…and I have to relearn [how to live my life].”
Marlie contracted breast cancer in 1990, but through treatment was able to repress the disease. She was in remission for ten years until it reappeared in 2000 as bone cancer in her lower back. Unwilling to let the cancer rule her life, she lived and served with joy until the Lord called her home on June 11, 2005.
“She was in the hospital for only one day,” Dr. Snider reminisces. “I helped her back into bed and went for breakfast. I came back a couple hours later and never had a chance to talk to her again.” Marlie passed away sweetly and quietly with her family singing hymns at her bedside.
Marlie’s gift of unwavering hospitality stands out to those who were closest to her. She and Neil often had students over to their home and she was most content when pouring out love to them. “Marlie had a deep sense of calling…to be a homemaker and a mother, not only to our three children, but to many others along the way. She, in her quiet way with her friendly smile, was always there to bless other people,” says Snider.
More than thirty years of Marlie Snider’s life were devoted to TWU. She loved the students deeply and had great respect for the principles that TWU strives to instill in them. A scholarship has been established in her memory, and the Pacific Rim Collegium has been renamed after her.
Dr. Snider draws a deep breath and speaks slowly. “If Marlie would want people to know anything, it would be that her heart burned for the mission statement of this school…she would want [to see] godly people who are serving in Christ’s name. Anything that is done in Christ’s name should be done with excellence.”
Marlie Snider will be missed by all who knew her. She had no idea the impact she made.
Now you go...
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