Maritza Theresa Sneddon

Maritza Theresa Sneddon, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on February 26, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado. Born to John and Julia Bershenyi on April 24, 1950, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Maritza was 71 at the time of her death. She graduated from Glenwood Springs High School in 1968 and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, receiving a BA in American Studies.

Maritza married Wallace (Wally) Sneddon on August 31, 1974. They lived in Denver while Wally completed medical school. The Sneddons then lived in San Diego for a time, where Wally worked as a Navy doctor and Maritza earned an MA in Public Administration from San Diego State University.

The Sneddons moved to Longmont in 1984 when Wally began his career as an anesthesiologist. Maritza devoted herself to creating their home and raising their beloved daughter Jill. During these years, she also served on the Board of Directors of the Longmont Coalition for Women in Crisis (now Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley) and on the Boulder County Planning Commission, and was active in their church.

Maritza is survived by her husband Wally; daughter Jill Griffin and her husband Andrew, and grandsons Noah, Xander, Tracey, and Dexter. She is also survived by her sisters Christine Pokrandt (Kirk) and Julia Bershenyi; brothers Stephen (Jo) and Mark (Amy) Bershenyi; nieces and nephews Paul and Rosie Pokrandt, and Mary and Gabe Bershenyi. In addition, she is survived by her Bershenyi, Gallacher, and Kisling cousins.

Maritza’s superpowers were Love, Generosity, and Community. She fostered community at every opportunity and had a gift for making others feel included. She loved gatherings of family and friends and hosted many such gatherings through the years. She would cook “enough for an army,” primarily so she could send folks home with leftovers. Maritza was generous in myriad ways—from giving hugs to offering help, from sharing her experience to lighting a room with her beautiful smile and laughter, from sharing recipes to, yes, offering advice. Maritza showed up fully in her life. She will be sorely missed.

A reception to celebrate Maritza’s life and her presence among us will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on May 11, 2022, at Callahan House, 312 Terry Street, Longmont, CO, 80501. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund online at www.coloradogives.org. If you prefer to write a check, make it out to "Boulder County Wildfire Fund" and mail it to The Community Foundation Boulder County, 1123 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302.