Obituary of Mary S. Walp

Mary S. Walp, of State College, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2016, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center in State College at the age of 83. Born in Millville, Pennsylvania, Mary grew up in Lightstreet, Pennsylvania. She attended The Ben Franklin Normal School and Bloomsburg Junior Senior High School before following in her father's footsteps with studies at Penn State University where she graduated in 1953 with a Bachelors of Arts in Marketing. On September 11, 1954, she married Neil M. Walp, a fellow Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania native and Penn State graduate in State College and moved to Virginia in 1957 where they raised their two daughters, Julie and Jennifer. Mary was involved in the Women's Club in Vienna, Virginia and was active in supporting her husband in his many town roles. She had a successful career in banking, retiring from the Bank of America as a Senior Commercial Credit Analyst. After retirement she and Neil moved back to State College. Her life was full and included breeding and showing standard poodles with her husband, entertaining with friends, travel to many European and Caribbean countries, a passion for Welsh genealogy and a lifetime love of Penn State football, volleyball and the college community. Mary's favorite trips were to France; she loved her 3 week stay in a Paris apartment with Neil in 2008 and her trip to Wales with Neil to research her family history. Mary was an amazing organizer and trip planner, and was known for her attention to each detail she handled. She adored her husband, Neil, the man she referred to as the love of her life and greatly enjoyed the fine dining and adventures they shared over their 63 year marriage. Mary was a devoted grandmother and loved to hear about her grandchildren's accomplishments. She was a central figure in her family and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Neil M. Walp, her daughter Julie Collinsworth (Edward Collinsworth) of Columbus, Ohio, her daughter Jennifer W. Rydholm (Paul Rydholm) of Front Royal, VA, her brother James A. Snyder (Janice Snyder) of Bloomsburg, Pa. and her beloved grandchildren Keenan Rydholm and Gillian Rydholm. She is predeceased by her father, James A. Snyder, Sr. and her mother Elizabeth A. Snyder, of Lightstreet, Pennsylvania. Friends may join the family at the Pavilion in The Arboretum at Penn State at 11:00 a.m. July 31, 2016, for a short dedication of a tree in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions for her commemorative tree may be made to The Arboretum at Penn State, 302 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.