Active in many, varied volunteer organizations
Published in the July 4, 2018 edition
PEABODY — Nancy Ward Snyder, 88, of Peabody, formerly of Hingham, and Newburgh, N.Y. passed away on June 25, 2018.
Nancy was born in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on September 24,1929, the child of A.Walter and Anna Elizabeth (Colby) Ward. She received the prestigious YADDO Medal upon graduation from high school and went on to receive her B.S. from Union University Albany College of Pharmacy in Medical Technology and Science. Mom worked in the Hematology Dept. in hospitals in Saratoga Springs and Poughkeepsie before moving to Newburgh, N.Y. She was the Director of Hematology at Highland Hospital in Beacon, N.Y. for 12 years and was also the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood for a tri-county area for several years during the ‘60’s, a challenging time. From 1981 until her retirement in 1993 she was employed by IBM in East Fishkill, N.Y. , first as a SEM technologist, ending her career as a Senior Administrative Business Planner. While at IBM she was a member of Toastmasters International and the holder of several patents through IBM.
In her spare time Nancy served as a Girl Scout Leader and became chairperson of the Greater Newburgh Girl Scout Council. She was also an instructor and director of the Candy Striper program at St.Lukes Hospital in Newburgh. A Life Member of The Mohonk Reserve she was also a Literacy Volunteer. A member for many years at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh, she taught Sunday School, was a member of the choir and Parish Visitor. My parents later became 30-plus year members of Union Presbyterian Church where she was ordained as both an Elder and a Deacon also singing in the choir. A member of the Quassaick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution she served as Regent, Vice-Regent, Chaplain and Treasurer. Nancy and Lin were members of The Museum of the Hudson Highlands where she served as Corresponding Secretary. My parents were both Docents for The Museum at the Gallery at Kenridge Farm. In addition she was member of The Historical Society of Hudson Bay and the Highlands.
Nancy was the widow of Linford A. Snyder, Jr. with whom she shared almost 64 years of marriage. She was the beloved and devoted mother of Nancy Snyder MacLeod and her husband Wayne of Lynnfield, formerly of Reading. Nancy was Grandma to four grandchildren, Samantha MacLeod and her partner Jon Martorella, Katie MacLeod Murphy and her husband Tom, Duncan MacLeod, Whitney Macleod Masters and her husband Harry. She was “Big Gram” to her great-grandson Maverick Murphy, who was the light of her life. She was the sister-in-law of the late Robert E. Snyder and his wife Trudy of Springhill, Fla. and loving aunt of Robert Snyder, Stephen Snyder, David Snyder and Barbara S. Kearns.
A celebration of her life will be held later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood as my mother believed deeply in helping other women to be strong and healthy. It’s said “it takes a village to raise a child,” it takes a village to guide a person on their final journey. To the staff (admin, maintenance, food service, housekeeping, recreation, Drs., CNA’s and all nursing) at Rosewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Peabody, there is no way to express our gratitude for the love, kindness and respect you showed my mother. God truly led us to you. All Care Hospice you are the best. Cid, Margarida, Tess, Arthur, everyone else who contributed to mom’s care and the wonderful volunteers, there are no words. And lastly to my family, you are my rock, thank you. Mom and Dad are dancing together again.
See www.Keohane.com or call 1-800-Keohane for directions and online condolences.
