Muriel D. Snell

OXFORD — Muriel (Sybil) Dutton Snell fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 92 at the Market Square Nursing Home in South Paris on April 7, 2011 after a long fight with Alzheimer’s disease. She had lived in the home that she and her husband, Hial Snell, had built in the early '70s on Fore Street in Oxford until the last five weeks of her life.

She was born in Springfield, VT to Herbert W. Dutton and Lillie Mae Felch Dutton on May 29, 1918. She was the youngest and only girl of five siblings. She married Hial P. Snell on June 12, 1936 in North Springfield, VT.

She and her husband ran a dairy farm in Springfield for many years. She was always very active in the church. She also was the pianist in the church in Weathersfield Bow, VT where her husband preached for many years. During their time in Vermont they took in many boarders and several foster children. In 1973 they moved to Oxford where she continued to be busy with the church and many volunteer positions. She worked in the Christian Academy at the Oxford Advent Christian Church. She also was a literacy volunteer helping many adults learn to read. She was a deaconess in the church and an overseer of the Shepherding Program. She and her husband were spiritual mentors to many and gave a good meal and warm bed when it was needed.

Mrs. Snell is survived by her children, David and Mary Snell and Doris and David Witham; grandchildren, David, Jr. and Jenn Snell, Barbara and Greg Gerber, Stephen and Hilary Snell, Deborah and James Spence, Daniel and Nancy Witham, Deborah Witham and Dennis and Michelle Witham; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and a special foster child, Carol. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Hial, and 4 brothers Ernest, Earl, Millard, and Derrick

Memorial services for Mrs. Muriel (Sybil) Dutton Snell of Oxford, Maine were conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2011 at the Oxford Advent Christian Church, Rte 26, Oxford, Maine with her son, Rev. David Snell, officiating. The pianist was her daughter-in-Law Mrs. Mary Snell, with “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Standing on the Promises” sung by the Snell family. Pallbearers were grandchildren and great-grandchildren David Snell, Jr., Stephen Snell, Timothy Snell, Daniel Witham, David Witham, Dennis Witham, Matthew Witham, and Jeffrey Witham. Interment was in the Fore Street Cemetery, Oxford, Maine. A reception followed the services in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be given to the Oxford Advent Christian Church Sunday School, 1130 Main Street, Oxford, ME 04270 in her memory. Arrangements are under the care of the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin Street, P. O. Box 537, Rumford.

Friends are invited to sign the family guest book and share their thoughts, condolences and memories on-line at www.meaderandson.com.

Muriel D. Snell Photo:

Muriel D. Snell