Alice Snyder

Alice Walling Snyder was a beautiful, cultured, intelligent woman who loved journalism, literature, poetry, theatre, travel, classical music and opera. She had a lovely singing voice and sang in numerous church choirs throughout her life. Her stereo was always tuned in to the classical music station, and later in her life, she would listen to the opera every Saturday afternoon. Alice adored the theatre and would go whenever she was able. During her lifetime she earned a degree in theatre and participated in school, community, and church theatrical productions.



Alice's vocation involved writing, but writing was also her passion. She wrote a children's play, short stories (including "Goodbye, Sweet Sally" and "Many Mansions"), and numerous articles (two of which were published in McCall's magazine) during her lifetime. Alice also loved to travel. One highlight of her life was winning a trip to Europe in 1958. She kept a diary (one of many) of her trip to London, Brussels, Weert, Paris, and Montreux. Her only regret was that she could not take her young daughter, Suzanne. Later, she did take two memorable trips with her daughter: to Russia (her father's homeland), and to Cuernavaca, Mexico. Hopefully, paradise is similar to Las Mananitas in Cuernavaca, where delicious food and drink were served in covered outdoor courtyards, while peacocks strolled around the fountains, tropical flowers, and lush foliage. Alice loved it there.



Alice married her husband, Edwin John Snyder (1906-1981), on February 9, 1950. In addition to her daughter, Suzanne (Harry), Alice is survived by three grandchildren: Lia (David), Amy, and Rebecca; a great-grandchild, Georganna; and her brother George (Mavis). Mention must also be made of her dogs (Wiggles, Mark, Mini, Mixi, Daisy, and Penny) who were her constant companions even in times of distress and who brought her solace and joy.



Emerging from a difficult childhood that included the early loss of her mother, Alice went on to get a B.A. at the University of Iowa in Theatre, and later an M.A. in Speech Education (1966) from Northwestern University. She taught speech and creative dramatics in the Evanston, Illinois Public Schools from 1959-1968 where she created and directed lessons, plays and programs for children in grades K-8. Alice then went to work for the Pioneer Press in Wilmette, Illinois, which published a number of newspapers for the northern suburbs of Chicago. During her tenure at the Pioneer Press (1969-1973), she advanced from reporter to editor of the Living Section. She won several journalism awards for her work there. From 1973 to 1987, Alice worked as the Editor of the Northwestern University Alumni News. She was very fond of Northwestern, and finished her career at the Medill School of Journalism as the director of placement and alumni affairs. She wrote a history of the school, Inventing Medill, which was published in 1996 by Northwestern University.



When Alice retired, she moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to her brother George and his wife, Marie (deceased). While there, she was active in the Pikes Peak Branch of the "National League of American Pen Women" as well as the United Church of Christ. In retirement, she was also able to indulge her love of travel by participating in numerous Elderhostels throughout the United States, Europe, and Central America. Alice spent the last years of her life in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, in order to spend precious time with her daughter. She will truly be missed by her family and by all who knew and loved her.




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