Barbara Fay Snyder died 10-12-2022 in Middlesex, CT at the age of 83 of natural causes. She was born March 4th, 1939, in Springfield, MA, to Herbert and Gertrude Levine (nee Cohen), both 2nd generation Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Barbara’s fondest childhood memories were the summers spent in Westbrook, CT at their beach house…read more
On Being 61 and 62: Transitions-Physical and Psychological
Goose Rocks Beach Laura and me late 1960’s and then me and family on occasion my father and sister’s Memorial 2022. These last couple of years so many transitions, my sister Laura, my father, and then my mother. My father had left us exquisitely detailed written instructions on how to conduct his memorial service,…read more
On Being 59 and 60: Refrigerator as Metaphor
Something smells bad in our refrigerator. Rotten vegetable smell. I have smelled every individual item in there. I have gotten on hands and knees and inspected underneath the fridge. I have cleaned the crisper. I have thrown out old food. But every time I open the door there’s that smell. This is just the type…read more
On Sam Snyder
Dad’s Obit that I wrote Samuel Morton Snyder (aka Sammy) died Oct 3,2020 in East Longmeadow, near his hometown of Springfield, MA at the age of 87 after a several year battle with dementia. He was the youngest of five children of Morris and Stella Snyder, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe at the turn…read more
On Laura Snyder
Laura Singing Tide and River Rising My words at her Memorial Service I’m Richard Snyder. I’m Laura’s older brother. Needless to say, I’ve known Laura a long time. I want to share 4 brother-sister moments that we had together . Moment 1 late 1960’s. Laura, my brother Danny and I are in the…read more
My 2006 Donation to the Heifer Project Has Died
Heifer Project International 1 World AvenueLittle Rock, AR 72202USA Tel.: (800) 422-047412/20/06 Mr. and Mrs. Mac Cantrell 622 East B Street Moscow, ID 83843 United States of America Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell, We are very sad to report that the Pomeranian Queenvictoriasnordictreasurethethird you donated in 2006 passed this year at the tender age of…read more
My 2019 Cash Donation Superior to My Brother-in-Law’s Tireless Work
Dear Mr. Snyder, Thank you so much for your donation on behalf of our beloved Mac Cantrell. We are well aware of the extreme heroism you exhibited by making this donation. You risked your email and phone to future solicitations from us. And we will do it! You are a hero. Know that about…read more
On Being 57 and 58: A Year of Wine and Oil
“And it will be if you diligently obey My commandments… I will give rain for your land at the proper time…and you will gather in your grain, your wine and your oil.” There are 613 commandments in the Torah ranging from honor your mother and father, to not benefitting from an ox condemned to be…read more
On Being 56: The Year of Living Jewishly
At sunset on December 4th, 1972, a 12 year old boy featuring a teen-age-not-yet-shaved-but-should-have-been-but-it-was-too-embarassing-because-none-of-the-other-kids-were-so-hairy moustache was waiting at the yellow Formica kitchen counter. To the right a glass fish bowl with 2 guppies looking pretty good despite having had 10’s of babies 2 days before which had been immediately removed and given to the neighbors…read more
Jewish Grandmothers
A Jewish grandmother was giving directions to her grown grandson who was coming to visit with his wife: “You come to the front door of the apartment complex. I am in apartment 14T. There is a big panel at the door. With your elbow push button 14T. I will buzz you in. Come inside, the elevator is on the right. Get in, and with your elbow hit 14. When you get out I am on the left. With your elbow, hit my doorbell”. “Grandma, that sounds easy, but why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow”? “You’re coming empty handed?”
