Mildred Kathleen Snyder

Mildred Kathleen (Hyland) Snyder passed away from age-related causes on October 11, 2014. She was born on January 6, 1921 in Oak Point, Minnesota to parents Florence Kathleen (Wodzewoda) and George C. Hyland. Her brother Clifford Hyland predeceased her.

Mildred was raised in the Eugene, Oregon area, graduating from Eugene High School and University of Oregon Business College. She wanted to note she was on the honor roll academically for her 11th and 12th grades. She often visited her grandparents' (Wodzewoda) Salem farm for great times with her many uncles, aunts and cousins. Growing up during the Depression left Mildred with life-long habits of saving, utilizing and recycling whatever she had at her disposal. She was "green" before it was the correct thing to do.

During World War II, Mildred became a lead "Rosie" at the Vancouver, WA shipyards. The crews that worked for her and with her became her dearest friends and they celebrated birthdays with little resources but tremendous enthusiasm.

In 1945 Mildred welcomed daughter Rhonda Lael Ledahl (Hoelcel), followed by daughter Lynnette Marlene Ledahl (Janes) in 1949.

Her bright mind and fast hands were appreciated as she worked for many years as a professional assistant at Schwager-Wood, a high voltage electrical switchgear company in Multnomah. She continued to take notes in Gregg Shorthand her entire life, baffling family and friends.

It was at Schwager -Wood that Mildred met Robert E. "Bob" Snyder. She and Bob were married in 1962, with Bob's son Danny Craig adding to the family.

Bob and Mildred moved several years later into their dream home on Chehalem Mountain in the Scholls area. They attended a Christian church where they both worshiped and served the church in the Sunday School department, Cradle Roll, as Deacon/Deaconess, Nuture Group, Prime-Timers, card ministry, and communion set up and clean up. They both commented that this was a wonderful time in their lives and they were happy and content.

Family and friends were treated to many holiday and special occasion dinners which Mildred prepared, often using ingredients from their large vegetable garden and decorations from their flowers garden. Each season they shared generously, a bounty of fresh delectables. Grandchildren never knew if the apple cider they pressed would pass the "zippy" stage and still be served. Lots of giggles and guesses about the grape juice, too! Grandma and Grandpa "Cider" never let on if they suspected a little extra zip here and there.

After Bob's passing in 1992, Mildred moved off the mountain and into a condominium in The Highlands near Tigard. Here she developed new volunteer skill sets utilizing her energy as an ESL tutor for a local elementary school, a Meals on Wheels driver for years, working in the Oasis program, driving and aiding seniors without transportation, and compiling photographic albums for Alzheimer's patients. Mildred was happiest being busy. She also enthusiastically followed her swimming exercise routines for over a decade. At 84-years of age, she began tap dancing lessons.

One of Mildred's proudest moments was during a journey to Jerusalem, where she was again baptized, this time in the Jordan River.

Her travels to visit daughter Rhonda and her family in Arkansas gave Mildred an opportunity to appreciate a new part of the country. She adored planning for these visits to catch up with the many new faces in the family.

Mildred is survived by her three children, Rhonda, Lynnette (Ken), and Danny. She also has seven grandchildren, to include: Christopher (Carolyn), Amy (Nick), Clint (Mandy), Katrina, Daniel (Miriam), Monica (Phil) and Nicholas (Gracia). Her twenty-eight great-grandchildren are Blake, Bryce, Cody Lee, Brittney, Noah, Jacob, Hannah, Cassandra, Krista, Nicholas D., David, Miranda, Lucas, Michael, Cody, Derrick, Bridget, Larry, Tiffany, Dillon, Harley, Chase, Gracia L., Philip, Benjamin, Paulina "Poppy" Jane, Cecilia "CC" Monique and Madison. Her first little great-great-grandchild is Ember.

A very special neice, Kathy (John) Manny in Nevada was very close to Mildred, writing letters, cards, and sending pictures for many, many years. These were shared with all the family to keep up with their children's growth, their own travels and service to the country. It was such a treat when they could visit in person.

She is also survived by a best friend of nearly 70 years, Margaret Golden Brandt of Lake Oswego.

Traveling to the wedding of (granddaughter) Monica and Phil in San Francisco was a thrill for her, as she hadn't visited there for many years. She also was able to travel to (grandson) Nick and Gracia's wedding in Moscow, Idaho, a trip back to her "favorite beautiful campus" at the University of Idaho.

During her active lifetime Mildred enjoyed good health and the joys of family and friends surrounding her.

When asked for a list of her favorite things, she stated in her rapid-fire response that she loves, loves, loves (in no particular order):

her memories of Bob, memories of family members growing up, going to church, singing hymns, listening to sermons and singers, feeling a sense of belonging with friends and family, seeing/rocking/snuggling new babies, any time visiting with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, pouring over their pictures and hearing of their lives, the color purple, gardening, seeing Mother Nature and any wildlife, the ocean, walking, kitties Rusty and Ringo, wonderful doggy Sheba, Grand-doggy TeddyBear, time spent with her "dear mother", watching ice skating, listening to Rhonda playing the flute, watching Lynnette cook a holiday meal, eating anything with lots of gravy, plenty of sweets, milk chocolate bars, ice cream, a fresh hairdo, hearing of Daniel and Miri's German wedding, going through photo albums of Lynnette and Ken's re-vow celebration, listening to "son-in-love" Ken's voice, hearing of Danny's European travels, soft fabrics next to clean skin, warm blankets.

She then asked if she was "taking too many loves" and not leaving enough for others!

Mainly, she said the best way to love and her reason for living is by trying to be of service to others, to help the whole-wide world!

For a very active woman, slowing down was difficult. At 93 and 3/4 years, her body needed to rest, to pause and reflect, and then to leave us.

Several days before she passed, she told Lynnette that she had dreamed all night of Bob holding her in his arms and crying, telling her he didn't want to see her suffer, and saying "finally" they would soon be together. She closed her eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks, and she said she will surely miss us all, every single one of us. She knew it was "time" and she was prepared.

October 11th was a blustery, dark Saturday. A Hospice nurse, two aides and Lynnette had just dressed Mildred in a soft sleeping gown and turned her to face the window. Lynnette asked for the blinds to be opened and she held her mother's frail little hand. As the blinds opened the dark clouds momentarily parted and a sunbeam fell across her face. It was in that beautiful moment that she very quietly, serenely passed away.

She was loved by many and will be missed tremendously. The spot she filled in our hearts is still full, her memories fresh and lively. She added to the world and truly loved us all.

Living in Germany, Danny has remembered a favorite place, high up a hill by a tower, overlooking his German village, where he and his dad and mom all visited together. It was there he recently hiked. As the sun set that day, Danny bid goodbye to his loving mother in this most special place.

A heart-felt thank you for the TLC to the nursing staff at Providence St. Vincent Hospital, the Hospice team and care members of McLoughlin Place Memory Care in Oregon City.

May she rest in peace, close to Bob, finally.

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Arrangements under the direction of Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.