Barbara Lee Snyder, August 24, 1946 – August 30, 2018, daughter of Mary (Koozer) Jay and Merle Jay, was the kind of mother that everyone wished they had. Born in Richland, WA , Barbara moved to Clearfield shortly afterwards – her families’ home (Koozer and Jay). Raised by a single mother, Mary K. Jay, she graduated from Clearfield High in 1964 before embarking on a lifelong adventure and returning home to Clearfield in 2014.
Along her journey, she lived in Washington D.C., Spartanburg, SC and Cincinnati, OH, where her three children; Tim, Becky and David were born respectively. Barbara also lived in Lawton, OK, Kenner, LA, Warner Robins, GA, Sarasota, FL and Venice, FL before retiring to Clearfield. She was fortunate enough to travel all over the country; Hawaii, California, Arizona and attend the Olympic Games in 1996.
From 1976 – 1982, she lived in a suburb of New Orleans, LA where she experienced several joyous years of Mardi Gras, parades and celebrations with her children. As a full-time mom, Barbara got the most joy from taking Tim, Becky and Dave to year-round sports practices and games, often shuttling the neighborhood kids as well. On one occasion, Becky’s track coach was unable to make it to the track meet. Without missing a beat, Barbara stepped in and coached the relay team. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her children and their friends. “Barb’s Taxi Service” was a full-time enterprise and while the pay was low, the benefits were priceless. She was truly loved by everyone who came in contact with her. On several occasions, neighbor kids gave Mother’s Day cards to her because she played an important part in their lives as well.
With her children out of the house, Barbara entered the workforce where she spent many years as a retail manager at Stride Rite Shoes and later as an office manager in a medical office.
Returning to Clearfield, she was so happy that she was able to reconnect with her childhood friends and her sister, Betsy Love and participate in the group’s Card Club. Barbara became an avid reader, often reading as many as five books per week and when her son Tim retired from the Army and moved to Clearfield, she enjoyed watching television together and looked forward to the start of each NFL season.
Barbara greatly enjoyed her Trinity United Methodist Church family and was as active as she could be while battling lung cancer the past few months.
Barbara could accomplish anything she set her mind to, but what she most enjoyed was helping others. She sacrificed so others could have more. This is how she lived her life. While she never attended college, Barbara certainly earned her Ph.D in compassion several times over. To her family, neighbors and friends, she was simply the kindest person in the neighborhood. Everyone loved Barbara Snyder. According to her son Tim, “If there is a nicer person than my mom, I’ve never met her.”
She is survived by her son, Tim of Clearfield, her daughter, Becky of Venice, FL, two grandchildren, her sister, Betsy Love of Clearfield, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a son David.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 121 S. 2nd St., Clearfield, PA 16830.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name are asked to be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church.
The Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc. of Clearfield are in the charge of the arrangements.
To send online tributes go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18