Mary, daughter of William and Mary Acquin Spalding had four sisters and five brothers. She graduated from St. Augustine School in Lebanon in 1949. She was awarded a scholarship to Webster College in Webster Groves, Mo. then graduated in 1953, cum laude. Mary went to work in Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Ill., for a one-year internship as a dietitian. Upon completion of the internship, she became a member of the American Dietetic Association. She began her work at the St. Louis VA Hospital as a clinical dietitian.

Mary Acquin met Claude Schneider in 1955 while working in St. Louis at the VA Hospital. They married the following year. They moved to Des Moines, Iowa. With moves back to St. Louis, followed by a move to New Jersey. Mary and Claude then settled in Atlanta, Ga., in 1971.

Mary continued to work throughout her life. One of her favorite positions was as a clinical dietician for the Georgia Retardation Center at Brook Run in Dunwoody, Ga. As part of a treatment team, Mary worked closely with the children living at the Center. On many occasions, Mary would bring a child from the Center to the Schneider home to celebrate holidays or weekends as members of the family. Her love of those amazing children and helping others through service exemplified her lifelong devotion to her Catholic faith.

Mary Acquin enjoyed traveling, the arts, needlepoint, reading Maeve Binchy novels, and offering her professional expertise to the elderly and people with developmental disabilities. She was an amazing cook and is credited with numerous original recipes still enjoyed by her loved one's today.

Mary Acquin relished time with her family. She is survived her husband of 62 years, her sister, her four children and their spouses, along with thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses who cared for her at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Their support during a difficult time was incredible. If desired, friends can make memorial contributions to the St. Vincent De Paul Society located at 1440 Pearce Circe, Gainesville, GA 30501.

"Happiness is in our own hearts."- Maeve Binchy

Some information above from her obituary published in the gainesvilletimes.com on Aug. 20, 2018

Helpful contributor: Bobbi Magee (48424628) • [email protected]