Boynton, Mary Ellen Snowbeck December 6, 1952 January 12, 2023 Mary Ellen was born in Blair, Nebraska, daughter of Alden and Bernice Snowbeck. She attended and graduated with a B.A. from Augustana University, Sioux Falls, S.D. and a M.A. from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. After graduation from Augustana, she taught school in Gordon, Nebraska and Luverne, Minnesota before moving to St. Paul, MN where she was a Production and Inventory Analyst at the 3M Company. In 1979 she met her future husband, John, and they were married in 1980. She continued with 3M until the birth of their daughter, Blair. After Blair began attending school, Mary Ellen returned to teaching at Chippewa Middle School, North Oaks, as a Business/Computer teacher. She enjoyed being with her students and believed that her sense of humor was one of her greatest gifts to them. After retirement, Mary Ellen kept busy with various activities. She assisted her friend, Nettie, in various activities to help children at Maxfield Elementary School, St. Paul, MN. She, along with friends, would search for clothes and uniforms at thrift stores throughout the Twin Cities. Mary Ellen was also an active member of quilt groups that meet in North St. Paul and Siren, WI. Mary Ellen and John along with Blair experienced many wonderful summers going from their Shoreview home to their Bone Lake cabin. With retirement, Mary Ellen and John were able to be at the cabin and visit Blair at her home in Waterloo, IA. Along with taking trips with John to quilt shops located throughout the country, Mary Ellen enjoyed day trips with friends and having lunch at their favorite locations. In 2021 Mary Ellen and John moved to their new home at Applewood Pointe of Roseville at Central Park. Mary Ellen became fast friends with her new neighbors and valued the time that she was able to have with them. Mary Ellen is survived by husband, John and daughter, Blair, along with sister-in-law Judy, niece Ann Snowbeck (Leon), nephew Christopher Snowbeck (Diane) with great-nieces Elsa and Audrey and nephew Erik Snowbeck (Rene). Mary Ellen is preceded in death by brother, David and sister-in-law, Martha Boynton. She will be remembered by her many friends for her kindness and bright spirit. Mary Ellen breezed through life with a giggle, a sarcastic wit (always with a little smile) and a "get it done attitude". She enjoyed puzzles, quilting, knitting, antiques, garage sales, and thrift stores. To sum it up, she would say, "I'm not bossy, I just have better ideas". Memorials are suggested for assisting children at Maxfield Elementary through Nettie and Friends, 174 Galtier Place, Shoreview, MN 55126. Nettie and Friends (NettieandFriends.org) is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Published on January 29, 2023