Sister Martha Ann Snapka

1934-2023

Spirit Center Grants Coordinator and now… Our Guardian Angel

 Obituary:

Sister Martha Ann Snapka, Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi, went peacefully and gently to her Lord on Thursday, June 22, 2023.  Born to Roman J. Snapka and Sophie Bezdek Snapka on September 13, 1934, she was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Mary Beth Sykora, and one brother, R.J. “Jake” Snapka.   She is survived by two brothers, Larry (wife, Carolyn) and Alfred (wife, Lucille), and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Sister Martha Ann entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on August 15, 1952, made her first profession of vows on July 31, 1954, and professed perpetual vows on August 17, 1957.  She graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, earned her Bachelor’s in history from St. Edward’s University in Austin, and her Master’s with certification in counseling and administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Sister taught and served as principal in Vattmann, Kingsville, Corpus Christi Cathedral, and Incarnate Word Academy, Corpus Christi.  As principal of the Academy, Sister Martha Ann planned and implemented the transition from an all-girls’ high school to a co-educational venture in 1975.  She was elected Superior General for the Incarnate Word Sisters in 1976 and re-elected in 1980, serving two four-year terms.  She initiated the Office of President on the Incarnate Word Academy campus in 1988 to provide for a coordination of educational programs across levels, mission effectiveness, and better plant management.  She also was a member of a governance study group for the Congregational schools which resulted in the establishment of the Incarnate Word School Board in 1994.

Sister was selected by the Pax Christi USA Multicultural Conflict Resolution Project for a nine-member team to train members of local communities to resolve conflicts of a racial or multicultural nature.  She was also a mediator for the Nueces County Dispute Resolution Center from 1986 – 1994, served on the board, and gave training classes in Dispute Resolution.  

Recognized for her accomplishments as an educator, Sister Martha Ann was honored as one of ten “Shining Stars in Texas Skies” at the YWCA 2001 Y Women in Careers dinner and welcomed to their Hall of Fame.  

From 2002 - 2020, Sister Martha Ann served as Director of Planned Giving at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi.  After retiring in 2020, she served on the Advisory Committee of the Fannie Bluntzer Nason Retreat Center – Spirit Center.

Sister had some favorite songs and dances, such as “Chicken Dance”, and “Beer Barrel Polka”.  There was a special hymn to Mary, “Zdrávas Maria”, which she sang for family celebrations.  She did not miss a trip (regardless of distance) to celebrate a wedding, anniversary, or family reunion.  

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her…