Mary Mae Snider Yuric, age 90, died January 6, 2013, at home with family present. Mary was born August 21, 1922 in Medimont, ID to Raymond and Frankie Snider. She was raised on the family farm, which also hosted the one room school house. Her father kept a supply of chopped wood and lit the fire each day so the teacher could make hot chocolate for the children before school. Mary was the youngest of four brothers and two half-brothers. Mary spoke of a happy childhood with her brothers, she delighted in her parent’s graceful and gentle dancing, and her father’s fiddle playing in the evening.
After high school she moved to Spokane where she studied typing, shorthand, Morse code and telegraphy. She accepted a telegrapher position with the railroad in East Helena, boarding at Mary Yuricic’s home, where she met Stephen Matthew Yuricic. Stephen served in the U.S. Navy as a boiler maker on the USS Philadelphia air craft carrier during WWII, in the South Pacific and Aleutian Islands. Mary was impressed by Stephen’s respectful way of talking about women and his decency, and fell in love. They married on October 12, 1946. They traveled for Stephen’s career and raised their four children living in many places, including Keflavic, Iceland and East Helena, MT.
After her children were raised, Mary worked for the state of Montana for two years, and then took a federal position at HUD. In 1976, Mary and Stephen built their house with their own two hands, after their jobs at night and on weekends.
Together they were among the founding members of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary in East Helena, also helping to build the physical building. Mary continued to participate in the burgeoning community, a lifetime of lovingly volunteering her service and time, often times beside her best friend, Mary Stipich. She was a member of SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic church, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the Community Home Health Group. Mary was a proud mother of two Carroll College alumni and a huge Carroll Saints football fan. She also enjoyed the Helena Symphony “Under the Stars Events”.
Mary is predeceased by her parents; brothers Clayton, Wally, and Joe, and her half-brothers. She is survived by her brother Dick Snider and sister-in-law, Verna; her son, Stephen R. Yuric and daughter-in-law Judy; daughters Jo Ann Yuricic, Katherine Yuricic, and Mary Lynn Cook; grandchildren Sheri Gunby, Stephen Yuric and Dawn Robinson, Theresa Yuricic and Clementine and Thor Cook and sister-in-law Kathleen Yuricic. She also has great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, numerous cousins, among them, Joe and Rocky Yuricic of Helena, and nieces and nephews. She was also related to baseball player, Duke Snider.
Mary will be remembered for her gentle ways, her humor, as a prayer warrior, a keeper of secrets, a role model, and a good friend. Mary will be greatly missed.
A graveside service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 11, 2013 at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials in Mary’s name may be sent to the VFW, Corey- Dullum Post 10010, East Helena.
Service Schedule
Rite of Committal
2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Friday January 11, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison
Hero's Rd.
Helena, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Rite of Committal
2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Friday January 11, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison
Hero's Rd.
Helena, Montana 59636
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steve mongoven says
memories from the old neighborhood in East Grand Forks. Going out to the NASA site north of town with my Dad to work on Telecom with Mr. Yuricic. JoAnn at Sacred Heart….Dick ….one of the hot racers at Benners slot car track….