A Life of Service A Commitment to Give...

Mary Snedeker ’66 has provided generous gifts to support Catholic University and its students.

If, as Saint Augustine wrote, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page,” Mary and Tom Snedeker have read hundreds of thousands of books and filled several passports besides. The couple, at the ages of 91 and 102 respectively, has traveled together on almost 20 world cruises, seeing and experiencing every corner of the world.

This experience has solidified their strong desire to support “good and important causes” like their schools, which is why they are longtime benefactors of the Catholic University School of Nursing—where Mary earned her M.S.N. in 1966. Drawn to the University despite not being Catholic, Mary loved her time on campus, “especially the nuns.”

Mary grew up on an Indiana farm with her aunt and uncle; she lost both her parents to a flu epidemic when she was just 3 years old. She arrived at Catholic University after a stint as a military nurse. Tom is also a retired military officer; the two met in the officers’ club in Philadelphia after the Army/Navy football game. They were married during their time in Washington, D.C., while Mary was a nursing student and Tom was a government engineer.

Mary and Tom have enjoyed visiting with Catholic University President John Garvey at their home in Florida. Mary especially enjoys her personal communication with Patricia McMullen, dean of the School of Nursing. Dr. McMullen enthusiastically shares the good Mary’s generosity provides for the program. Because she currently receives most of her own care from a nurse practitioner, Mary is especially interested in helping nurses prepare themselves to follow this educational path.

Beginning in 2007, Mary has created seven charitable gift annuities to benefit the school—with a combined value totaling close to $800,000. Such gift annuities are uniquely mutually beneficial because they ensure annual income for life for the donor while simultaneously offering committed support for the University.

With this goal and Mary’s background and interests in mind, the establishment of the $1.5 million Mary Snedeker Military and Veterans Nurse Practitioner Endowment will directly address the need for more qualified providers for the growing population of elderly veterans. Mary’s generous bequest will enhance and continue the legacy and collaboration between Catholic University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Create a Lasting Impact

Your generosity can have a lasting impact on Catholic University. Contact Isabel de la Puente at 202-319-6914 to learn about your giving options.