Mary Ellen Snyder

Mary Ellen Knapp was born in Pennsylvania in 1938 to Dessie and Ralph Knapp. In 1956 she married David P. Snyder. Children followed with Debora (1960), Cheryl (1961), and Michael (1962). In 1964 the family moved to California and settled in Sunnyvale. They lived there for 35 years where Mary filled the home with love and care. She often referred to herself as a homemaker, but she was so much more than that. She was always involved with school activities for the kids and loved helping out with bible studies and women’s groups at the First Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Mary Ellen did not have a drivers license when she first moved to California and she soon found out she needed one.

Grandchildren followed when Michael and Cheryl each married and started their families. Four boys from Mike; Brian, Christopher, Steven and Scott bounced along. Cheryl kept up with four of her own; Brandon, Andrew, Sherrie and Emma. Eight grandchildren kept Mary Ellen and Dave busy for a number of years.

Dave and Mary Ellen moved to Modesto in 1998. They wanted to be closer to their grandchildren and to their favorite hobby, Sierra Christian Conference Grounds. Mary Ellen helped clean bathrooms and worked around the grounds until her health took a turn. For a number of years Mary Ellen suffered through Alzheimers, COPD, and heart failure. Her greatest joys were conversations she would have with visitors and phone calls.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother George, and her son Michael. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Her homegoing service will be Monday, December 4, 2017 at the Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, CA at noon.