Obituary of Judith Louise Snyder
Judith Louise Snyder of Harpersfield, NY, peacefully passed away on Friday March 10, 2017 at AO Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Her life was focused on faith, family and patriotism.
Judith was born in Kingston, NY to her parents Frank and Julia Kolts on June 16, 1938. She has one sister, Linda Kolts.
Judy grew up in Grand Gorge, attending the United Methodist Church, and was a scholar, athlete and musician in school. She played basketball, was Head Cheerleader and was active in drama. She learned to perform on piano and baritone. Judy graduated Valedictorian for the Grand Gorge High School Class of 1956 and was elected Homecoming Queen.
After graduation, Judy briefly attended college before marrying her high school sweetheart, Paul Snyder. They were married at the Grand Gorge Methodist Church in November 1957. Judy accompanied her husband as he served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and later for another 20 years for U.S. Customs. She raised her family in Wyoming, California Germany and finally settled down in Houston, Texas for many years until Paul's full retirement. Judy and her husband than returned home to the Catskills to retire near their childhood home with many friends and family still thriving.
Judy devoted her life to her husband Paul and children Steve, Sandy and Suzanne. With every military move that the Snyder's made, she ensured that the family enjoyed a warm loving home. Her three children remember her commitment to the Lord, nurturing spirit, sense of humor, dedication, love of country and, most of all, her love and compassion for them and everyone she met.
During her 30 years at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, she was an integral part of the staff there, eventually leading many departments to include Head of Housekeeping and Maintenance. For years, she would play organ for the church on Sunday morning, clean the church all afternoon and play again for Sunday Evening Service. Her humility in doing menial tasks and physical labor in service of the Lord was quite simply amazing.
Upon her return to New York, Judy used her extensive musical talent to play piano and organ for churches in Grand Gorge, Harpersfield, Stamford, Gilboa and Prattsville. She loved to serve the Lord in everything she did, but found most joy in serving Him through music.
While in the Catskills, she also became Assistant Manager of the Grand Gorge Motel, serving her mountain visitors with warm enthusiasm, kindness and love and was very personally close to the Motels' (Christian) owners, Bob and Diane Nash.
Judy supported the military community, veterans, retirees and their spouses through the American Legion Women's Auxiliary, where she held the position of Vice President of the local chapter. She actively participated at the local, county and state level with the Auxiliary and fervently enjoyed the type and caliber of people she met while serving at this capacity.
Judy's hobbies centered around her passions: music in church, warmly decorating her home and serving others.
Judy is survived by her husband, Paul Abram Snyder; children and spouses Sandy & Rabih Sabra, Steve & Tiziana Snyder, and Suzanne & Greg Doxakis. She has six grandchildren: Zachary Snyder, David Sabra, JoAnna Sabra, Stephen Sabra, Johnny Sabra, and Matthew Doxakis. She has one great grandson, Gabriel Sabra.
The Memorial Service for Judith Snyder is being held Saturday, March 18th at 11 am at the United Methodist Church, 37264 State Route 23, Grand Gorge, NY. A celebration of Judy's life will follow immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Judy will be laid to rest in the Lord's loving arms during a private internment ceremony at Veteran's National Cemetery in Houston, Texas. Funeral arrangements have been coordinated through McArthur Funeral Home, 40 Cornell Ave, Hobart, NY. Flowers in remembrance of Judy can be delivered to the funeral home. However, in lieu of flowers, friends can donate to Access International School (Christian Bible School - Lebanon) at www.transformingcommunity.org/donate.html. Judy's daughter Sandy Sabra and her husband Dr. Rabih Sabra founded this Christian school. And this would truly honor Judy's memory.
The family would like to sincerely thank the many first responders from Stamford EMS, Jefferson EMS, Hobart EMS and Cooperstown Medical Transport and the medical staff at A.O Fox Hospital for the compassionate care during this medical crisis.
They would also like to express their gratitude to the local church family and friend's of Judy for providing meals, support and so much love and compassion.
Lastly, Steve, Sandra and Suzanne wish to sincerely thank Klint and Donna Ward for the tremendous support of their parents over many years; but mostly because they were by her side when she passed and she was not alone, but with loving friends.
The Wards children were much beloved by Judy as they were thought of as her honorary second grandma.
In closing, Judy was very special and very much loved. She has many names: daughter of The King, devoted wife, loving mother, compassionate friend. She will forever be remembered for her faith, family and patriotism. We know she is "squaring away" Heaven as we speak.
