Linda Mae Snyder's Obituary
Our beautiful mother, Linda Mae Snyder, passed away in the peace of her own home on August 10, 2023, surrounded by family. Linda was born in 1941 in Paterson, NJ to Thomas and Eleanor Van Saun (née McFadden). She was a 1958 graduate of Paterson High School and went on to graduate from Hackensack School of Nursing, Hackensack NJ.
After nursing school, Linda was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force. She was stationed at Chanute AFB, IL where she met the love of her life, Mike Snyder. After a year of courtship, they married on April 3, 1965.
As with many women from that generation, Linda sacrificed a career to start a family, and we were so fortunate that she made that choice. She devoted her life to her husband and kids, criss-crossing the globe over a 28 year military career. She could pack and organize like a pro and always made us feel like we had a “home”.
The light of her life was her kids and grandkids. You didn’t drop by for a short visit without her putting out a spread of food and encouraging everyone to stay the night. She loved corralling all the kids for nights of card and board games, movies and story-telling. She was gracious, stubborn, the first to laugh at a good joke, and a penny-pincher with great skill in stretching budgets.
Linda is survived by her husband of 58 years, Mike Snyder, along with 3 sons and their families. Mike (Kent), Tom (Lynn) and Bryan (Eileen). She was a doting grandmother to 12 grandkids: Christopher, Kayla, Colin, Maggie, Patrick, Kate, Frank, Nora, Lucy, Bridget, Judy and Tess.
The last 4 years of her life were very difficult as Rheumathoid Arthritis and Alzheimer’s gradually diminished the proud lady we all knew. Through it all, our father demonstrated love and compassion in caring for her at home and keeping her safe.
Linda will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but she lives on in each of us. We hope and pray to be reunited again in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Without our caregiver and hospice team, we would have been lost.
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