Optimistically creative

Elva Snyder’s artistic abilities could turn everyday items into a functional and beautiful display. She could turn carpet remnants into a fantasyland mural that flowed from the floor up onto the mural she painted on the wall. Square bricks would flow into a curved sidewalk in her mind and through her hands. Oil, acrylic, watercolor, stained glass, grass, flowers, shrubs, trees, cloth, carpet, even walls and windows were molded by her frugal creativity.

Roots

Elva Jane, as her sister calls her, died on July 31st. She was 82. Born in Ohio to Jack and Eva Vulgamott, Elva’s family moved to Fort Wayne, IN when she was only two. There she met Richard “Dick” Snyder, married in 1952, and raised a family of four children. Elva was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church until she moved to Sarasota, FL. After snow birding for several years, she shifted her residence to Florida and joined Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church of Sarasota in 2003. Whether having fun on the bowling team or serving in the ladies group, others enjoyed Elva’s quiet and sweet demeanor as well as her artistic talents.

Fun

Elva didn’t live to eat, but ate to live. The only exception to this might be candy and ice cream! Those she loved. Her last meal was ice cream. When she finished a bowl of double vanilla and was asked if she was done, her reply, and her last spoken word, came with a mischievous twinkle in her eye: “Chocolate.” She knew what was in the freezer!

Memorial Services

Elva was buried at Covington Memorial Gardens next to her husband Dick, who passed away in 1984 and her son John, who passed away in 1979. Surviving Elva is her sister Eva Marie Cook of Fort Wayne, IN; her son Steven Snyder of Sarasota, FL along his wife Inna, daughter Shannan Garman and her husband Nathan, and son Steven Snyder, II; her son David Snyder of Saint Cloud, FL along with his wife Ruth, daughter Sarah and son Micah; and her daughter Susan Snyder of Somers, MT.

A public memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 29^th at 4:00 pm at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7461 Prospect Rd, Sarasota. There will be a light reception following at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to the LWML at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Sarasota, FL, or to Wycliffe Bible Translators designated for the ministry of David and Ruth Snyder.

Memorial Service at Fort Wayne

The memorial service at Fort Wayne (August 4th) was an encouragement to all, especially to us children. We had about 65 people attend, and many shared stories with us of our mother – stories we had not heard before. It helped us to understand who she was through the eyes of other lives she touched.

Thanks to everyone who made it possible!