Arla Ann (Arlanne)

MacDonald Snodgrass

    SNODGRASS, Arla Ann (Arlanne) MacDonald, 79, FLORIDA & MAINE, at Florida, March 23, 2014. Interment will take place at a later date in Maine. Arrangements are in the care of Dale-Woodward Funeral Homes, Holly Hill, FL.

    FLORIDA & MAINE — Loved by all who knew her, Arlanne Snodgrass died peacefully at home surrounded by her entire family on March 23, 2014. She was born June 26, 1934, the daughter of Norman and Amy Isabella Arla Harkness MacDonald in Augusta, ME, where her father was head of social services for the state of Maine. 
    At age 13, the family moved to Presque Isle, ME, where her father became city manager. She graduated from Presque Isle High School and the University of Maine where she was in the Delta Delta Delta sorority.
    Summers were spent in Bar Harbor, ME, at the home of her grandmother, widow of Angus MacDonald, long time minister of the Bar Harbor Congregational Church and cofounder with his brother, Alexander, of the Maine Seacoast Mission in 1905 which flourishes to this day.
    After doing graduate work at the Rochester, NY, Presbyterian Church of Daytona Beach for over 50 years, interested in problems of the blind, she took courses in Braille, passed the examination of the Library of Congress and proceeded to translate material and books into Braille.
    Adept at all kinds of needlework, she knitted 30 plus Christmas stockings for family members and friends, abundant christening blankets
for the Bar Harbor Congregational Church, completed a 25 year project crocheting a large tablecloth and
served as a mentor to all her girls and granddaughters.
    She loved the state of Maine such that a summer residence was obtained on Long Pond on Mt. Desert Island near Bar Harbor in 1968 gathering the family every year to the present. Probably her greatest contribution was setting an example of gentle kindness, devotion, support and love. She married Dr. Richard Snodgrass. They lived five years in Los Angeles while the doctor was a flight surgeon at the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division for two years, then three years as a resident at the UCLA Medical Center where their first two children, Lori Arlanne and Richard Norman, were born. He then became Chief Resident in Medicine at the University of Florida where their third child, Amy Arla, was born.
    Assuming the internal medicine practice of recently deceased Norman Williams, they moved to Daytona Beach. They subsequently adopted two more newborn children through the Children’s Home Society where Arlanne’s mother served on the board, Paul Lowell and Keri Lynn. A devoted mother, swim and soccer mom, she volunteered
at the library of the Ortona Elementary school for several years, was active in PTA, the Junior League and the Volusia County Medical Auxiliary where she served as President. She was a member of the First mediate family which is constantly reflected in their relationships but also to her many friends and those working for her and with her.
    She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Dr. Richard Snodgrass; a sister, Norma Sweat (Donald); three daughters, Lori Barrett (Brett), Amy Swenson (Karl) and Keri Mesirow (Jim); two sons, Rick (Traci) and Paul; and 13 grandchildren.
    A service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 608 Grandview Ave., Daytona Beach on Thursday, March 27 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Emese Asztalos officiating. Interment will take place at a later date in Maine. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Maine Seacoast Mission, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 or the First Presbyterian Church of Daytona Beach. Condolences may be shared at www.dalewoodwardfuneralhomes.com.