Mary Lou (Snyder) Hetrick

Mary Lou (Snyder) Hetrick, 87, peacefully passed surrounded by family on April 28, 2025, in her home on Summit Street in Brookville, PA. Mary Lou was born on July 24, 1937, to Jacob Oran Snyder and Irmine Mary (Heller) Snyder. She was their beloved, surviving only child.

Mary Lou attended Brookville Area Schools and graduated in 1955. Upon graduation, she attended the Mercy Hospital nursing program. She obtained her registered nursing diploma. She cherished and took the oath of nursing seriously throughout her life. She was always happy to see another name tag with the RN credentials.

Mary Lou married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Richard D. “Dick” Hetrick, on September 6, 1958. After their honeymoon in Virginia, via Harley Davidson, they returned to Brookville to start their lives together.

Mary Lou first worked at Dan Smith’s Ice Cream Shop (now Buff’s) as a “Dan’s daily dipper.” After obtaining her nursing degree, she worked at Brookville Hospital as an R.N. She also completed all the bookkeeping for the family business, R.D. Hetrick Refuse Removal.

Mary Lou was active in the community and church through organizations including Catholic Daughters of America, Girl and Boy Scouts of America, Parent Teacher Association, the Quilt Guild of Brookville, Beaver Township Election Board, Golden Wing Road Riders Association (G.W.R.R.A.), Red Cross Blood Banks, Martha V. Conrad Study Club, Brookville Y.M.C.A. Swim Team and was a devoted cheerleader and cook for her daughters’ softball teams.

Mary Lou was a devoted Pittsburgh sports fan including Pirates, Steelers, and the Penguins. She enjoyed using her iPad and was dangerous in her love of Amazon and Facebook. Although she was a severe diabetic for most of her life, she always believed in having dessert FIRST. Her favorite pastimes included knitting socks and mittens, collecting stamps and postcards, birdwatching for cardinals, making quilts with her grandchildren, and traveling 49 states on the back of their Honda Goldwing motorcycle with her husband. Although they traveled the country extensively, one of her favorite places to be was around the campfire at Clear Creek State Park, camping with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Surviving children are Richard “Brian” (Beth) Hetrick, Mary Jo “Jodie” (Tom) McKinley, David “Jeff” Hetrick, Connie Weyandt, Robert “Robb” (MeriBeth) Hetrick.

Grandchildren: Nicole Keedy, Kelly (Brock) Smith, Mollie (Ben) Nixon, Clinton (Lynsey) McKinley, Megan (Shawn) Smith, Noah (Shannon) Hetrick, Levi (Jessie) Hetrick, Sarah Hetrick, Caitie (Ben) Lees, Zachary Weyandt, Caleb Hetrick, Cody Hetrick.

Great-grandchildren: Brett, Ian & Sydney McGee, Hudson, Hayes & Maren Smith, Ava & Ella Nixon, Evelyn & Annie McKinley, Isbea & Olena Smith, Emerson Hetrick, Aiden Hetrick, and Declan Smith.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her infant brother John.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 6 to 8 PM at McKinney – d’Argy Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Brookville, PA 15825. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 129 Graham Avenue, Brookville, PA on Thursday, May 1, 2025 beginning at 10am and officiated  by Father William Laska. 

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Brookville Barracudas Swim Team.

She will be greatly missed by her surviving family. The family is deeply grateful for the support and care provided by Penn Highlands Hospice in her final days.

More information may be found by visiting www.dargyfh.com.

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