Sister Marilyn Snediker

Current ministry location – Center, NY

Marilyn Snediker was born April 23, 1929 in Kankakee, Illinois to Mary (Shrake) Snediker and Oliver R. Snediker. She had one brother: Ted R. Marilyn graduated from High School in 1946. She received a Diploma for Registered Nursing from Mt. Carmel Hospital, Ohio in 1952.

Marilyn entered the Maryknoll Sisters October 18, 1964 at the Novitiate in Valley Park, MO. She professed First Vows June 24, 1967 in Valley Park and Final Vows on October 18, 1970 in Tanzania.

In 1968, Sister Marilyn gave Congregational Service as a staff nurse in the Sisters’ Residential Care unit. In 1969, she received a Certificate in midwifery from studies in a hospital in London, England.

In 1970, Sister Marilyn received her first overseas mission assignment to Tanzania. She studied the Swahili Language in Makoko. After a brief period of service in Africa, Sister Marilyn returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center in New York to give Congregational Service from1972-’86 serving in various capacities in healthcare, treasury and secretariat departments. She was also a staff member for Social Concerns.

In 1987, Sister Marilyn visited Guatemala and was touched by the people’s way of life and their intense faith despite the difficulties they faced following violence, injustice and oppression. Sister Marilyn became so inspired that she requested and was given an assigned to Guatemala and left that same year for Guatemala to join with other Maryknoll Sisters. There she felt she could be a source of hope for the broken hearts of the marginalized people.

For her twelve years of mission in Guatemala, Marilyn worked together with other Maryknoll Sisters promoting human dignity through education, healthcare and establishment of community- based income generating projects, with a special emphasis on women, especially the marginalized and poor in villages who had very few opportunities.

In 1999, Sister Marilyn was assigned again to the Maryknoll Sisters Center in New York where her continued presence was felt through her optimistic outlook, cheerfulness, care and concern for others.

I 2007, Sister retired under medical care in the Maryknoll Sisters Home Care skilled nursing unit.

PS

Sister has had a stroke and has a problem talking. She said that the family had moved around so much when she was in school that she cannot remember what school she graduated from.