Catherine Louise Landel Snyder

On August 18, 2012, Catherine Louise Landel Snyder, age 88, of Asheville, NC, peacefully left this earth to join her husband, Kirby F. Snyder, in heaven. Catherine was a very devoted wife for 40 years, an extremely skilled secretary/bookkeeper - able to type 140 words a minute, and an active member and supporter of many fraternal orders. Catherine was born in Pendleton, NY to Carlisle Oscar and Grace Elizabeth Landel on February 1, 1924. She enjoyed swimming and skating on the Niagara River, and playing clarinet in the symphonic and marching band. She was a 1943 graduate of Kenmore High School and a 1945 graduate of Bryant and Stratton Business School. She moved from Pendelton, New York to Asheville after the "Big Storm" of 1977, settling in Malvern Hills where she had many friends. Her passion was making her famous gingersnap cookies, solving EVERY JUMBLE puzzle in the newspaper and listening to music - classical and opera were her favorites. Most important to her was serving her beloved fraternal organizations as Past Noble Grand of Rebekah Lodge #37 I.O.O.F., Past Matron of Levant Chapter #37 O.E.S., Buffalo, NY; a 65 year member of Eastern Star, Buffalo, N.Y. and Asheville, N.C.; Rebekah Assembly I.O.O.F. and a 32 year member of the Order of the Amaranth of NC. She was past president of the Salvation Army Auxiliary. All of this was accomplished even though she had limited vision and hearing. Catherine is survived by her sister, Phyllis Martin, of Asheville, and her brother, Dr. Robert F. Landel, of Santa Cruz, CA. Her twin brother, John Tilman, and her oldest brother, Carlisle Oscar, preceded her in death. She leaves behind her step-son, Kirby Lee Snyder and wife, Suzanne; four step-grandchildren, Brian Snyder, Bruce Snyder, Bonnie Kasperek, and Barry Snyder, and 10 great grand children Cameron, Corbin, Zachary, Eric, Joseph, Rachel, Melissa, Amber, Brianna, and Haley. She also leaves behind 14 nieces and nephews: Peggy Koppman, Robert Landel, John Landel, David Landel, Carlisle Landel, Hans Landel, Rob Landel, Grace Landel, Kevin Landel, Matthew Landel, Kathryn Dawkins, Carol Martin, Larry Martin, Robert Martin, as well as 26 great nieces and nephews. Catherine was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville. Funeral Services will be held, Saturday, August 25th at 4:00 p.m. in the Patton Ave. chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with the Rev. Joe Hoffman officiating. A memorial celebration will also be held with family in Buffalo, New York, next month. She will be interred alongside her husband at Acacia Park Memorial Garden in North Tonawanda, New York. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Mid Atlantic Affiliate, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058.