Virginia C. Hannum Snyder

Virginia Caroline Hannum Snyder, 91, died peacefully on Saturday, June 28th at Health Park Medical Center, Ft. Myers, FL. She was born on April 11, 1934 in Buffalo, NY to the late Dr. Charles E. and Florence E. (Washington) Hannum of Dunkirk. She graduated from Dunkirk High School and went on to earn her B.S. degree and RN Certification from the University of Rochester.

On August 27, 1955 she married the late Clarence H. (“Bert”) Snyder. They began married life in Ithaca while Bert finished his law degree, after which they returned to the Dunkirk-Fredonia area and remained there until Bert’s retirement. They then made Ft. Myers, FL their home – while maintaining a summer cottage at Bourne’s Beach in Westfield, NY.

Virginia worked as a School Nurse-Teacher in the Dunkirk City Schools until her retirement. She was an active, life-long member of the First United Methodist Church of Dunkirk where she taught Sunday

School, sang in the choir, served as a Trustee, and was a member of the United Methodist Women, for a time as President. She also served on the board of the Bourne’s Beach Association – serving there as President as well. Virginia was a member of several local bridge clubs, the American Association of University Women, and maintained close friendships with many High School and College friends.

In Florida, Virginia was an avid tennis player at Lexington Country Club, where she resided, and in the Lee County Women’s Tennis League. She served several times as Team Captain. She was also an Associate Member of the Cypress Lake United Methodist Church, and the Webster (NY) United Church of Christ in later years.

Virginia is survived by three children: Martha S. (Carl) Richter of Ft. Myers, Thomas A. (Mary) Snyder of Albany, and Dr. Edward P. (Nancy) Snyder of Erie. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jonathan (Alexandra) Snyder, Katherine (Michael) Fish, William (Nicole) Richter, Andrew (Mariah) Snyder, Matthew (Kendall) Snyder, Dr. Kara Snyder, Adam (Viola) Snyder, and Daniel Snyder, and eight great-grandchildren: Natalie and Jessica Snyder, Lucas and Nicholas Fish, Nora and Jonathan Richter, Killian Snyder and Avelina Rose Snyder. She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Natalie Hannum, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Virginia was also predeceased by her son, Steven C. Snyder and daughter-in-law, Sharon L. Snyder; her brother, Charles J. Hannum; great-grandson Jacob Snyder and great-granddaughter, Evelyn Richter.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home; 736 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY. A Service of Remembrance begins at 11 a.m. Interment will be held in Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations in Virginia’s memory to: First United Methodist Church, Dunkirk; Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels, or Chautauqua Rural Ministries.