ORONO – Davida Jane Snider, known to her friends, her students and her colleagues simply as Jane, died peacefully May 23, 2006. She was born Oct. 3, 1951, the daughter of the late David Leon and Betsy Jane Snider. Jane grew up in Alexandria, Va. Since 1981, she served as costume designer and associate professor of theatre for the Theatre/Dance Division, School of Performing Arts, the University of Maine. A graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a bachelor’s of arts in theatre, Jane also held a MFA in theatre with a concentration in design from Memphis State University. Before joining the faculty at the University of Maine, she served as costume designer for the Oklahoma Theatre Center and as costume assistant for Washington’s Arena Stage. Above and beyond her demanding role as costume designer for the theatre program at the University of Maine, Jane served as teacher, advisor and mentor for many generations of University of Maine students, several of whom are now working in professional theatre. She also served as interim associate director of the School of Performing Arts, theatre department chair and was active in University of Maine’s Women’s Studies Program. She was proud of classes she co-developed and taught which featured the study of women playwrights, multiculturalism and feminist dramatic theory. She was also active in the fostering of theatre programs in the public schools of Maine. Her community service activities included not only workshops for school students and scout troops but as workshop presenter for Maine Scholars’ Days and Odyssey of the Mind. She frequently served as adjudicator or host for the Maine One-Act Play Festival as well as adjudicator for the Touring Artists Program for both the Maine Arts Commission and the New Hampshire Council of the Arts. What Jane Snider could be most proud of, however, was her tireless effort to raise funds for students in need of scholarship money. Over her years as teacher and mentor, she raised thousands of dollars on their behalf. Among her many, many costume designs for University of Maine theatre productions, audiences will remember The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Women of Troy, Threepenny Opera, West Side Story, The Mikado, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Chicago, The Crackwalker, Into the Woods, and Noises Off. Jane Snider’s artistry and skill in the field of costume design is known, however, throughout Maine. She served as chief costume designer and make-up consultant for nine seasons at the Theatre at Monmouth, a summer Equity company specializing in Shakespeare. Among the many productions which she designed were Hamlet, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice and Richard II. Her designs have been featured at Penobscot Theatre, Berkshire Public Theatre, Acadia Repertory Theatre, Theatre of the Enchanted Forest and the theatre program at Colby College. Other activities include designs exhibited in professional exhibitions, national professional presentations and publications. She frequently provided professional make-up for local television and promotional recording events. Perhaps her most memorable was her make-up for then vice-presidential candidate Al Gore for a television interview during his campaign stop in Bangor. She was a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and the Theatre Communications Group. Jane Snider was an active member of the congregation of the Church of Universal Fellowship, serving on the board of deacons and founding a weekly meditation group. Davida Jane Snider is survived by her beloved son, Jessie Sails; her sister, Lynn Long and Lynn’s husband, David Long, of Virginia; her nephews, Jason and Edward Long and other family members in the southern states. She is also survived by her former husband, Richard Sails. Services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St., Orono. The Reverends Lorna Stuart and Phil Hastings will lead the service. Jane Snider was devoted to and a long-time supporter for the “Save the Children” Organization. Memorial donations in her name may be made to “Save the Children Fund,” in care of Eunice McAfee, Merrill Bank, 992 Union St., Suite 1, Bangor, ME 04401. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, Orono.