Catherine Snyder

Catherine, age 78, a resident of Saint Cloud, Florida since 2009, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:00 p.m.

She was born on February 18, 1948. She graduated with the Vandalia Vandals, Class of 1966, in Vandalia, Illinois, and went on to attend Patricia Stevens Finishing School in St. Louis.

She dedicated 33 years of her career to AT&T, where she proudly served as a Supervisor and Union Steward. Never one to sit still, she was also known around Farmington, Illinois as the "Bartendress" at the American Legion, where she was easy to spot — and hear — by the bells she wore on her shoes.

Her entrepreneurial spirit ran deep. An avid lover of arts and crafts, she founded London Millie Gifts Inc. in London Mills, Illinois, alongside her husband. She also built a wedding business in Mount Zion, Illinois, where she brought couples' celebrations to life through cakes, desserts, and decorations. She gave back to her community as a village board member for London Mills and served as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.

Above all, she will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, her warm smile, and a laugh she never held back. She was loving, caring, and compassionate, always the first to lend a hand to anyone in need.

Twenty-one years ago, Catherine survived a stroke, and from that day forward she faced her condition with remarkable resilience. She never complained, choosing instead to meet every challenge head-on, and became an inspiration to fellow stroke survivors in her recovery unit. "Never give up" was more than a saying to her — it was the way she lived every single day.

She is survived by her husband, James Snyder; her children, Jamy Vandeveer, Henry Murphy, Kim Chaney, and Carrie Snyder; 3 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and her beloved dogs, Brody and Bailey, and her grand-puppies, Billie, Trip, and Zoey.

Catherine Marie Snyder was preceded in death by her parents, Hank and Jerry Park, and her grandchildren, Sami and Justin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, at www2.heart.org/site/SPageNavigator/donatenow_stroke.html.