Nellie Mae Snapp

Nellie Mae Snapp, 90, peacefully raised her angel wings on May 21, 2024, and joined her loved ones that passed before her.

Born on August 21, 1933 in Transue, PA, Nellie was the oldest of 6 siblings. Over the years she shared many stories from her childhood of the things they did and the many different places they lived, eventually settling in Owego, NY where Nellie graduated from Owego Free Academy in 1951. After graduation, Nellie worked for the telephone company as an operator and served in the Civil Air Patrol and eventually met the love of her life, Roger. She and Roger were married on August 17, 1956 and after a honeymoon in the Thousand Islands, Nellie began her adventure of being a farmer’s wife. Nellie enjoyed her role on the farm, keeping the ledgers, running for parts and delivering many lunches to the fields but her greatest joy came from raising her family. She took great pride in being a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Nellie’s door was always open to everyone. She and Roger hosted a great number of family gatherings, both big and small with good food, laughter and time well spent together. Her cookie jar was always full of gingersnapps and chocolate chip cookies and she baked the most delicious apple pies and apple chip cakes. Nellie had a passion for history, spending countless hours putting together pictures and books that told the story of our family, something that every family member cherishes and enjoys. She also had a love of travel and went on many adventures, traveling out west with Roger and an Alaskan cruise with her sister and friends are just a few of her memorable trips. After Rogers passing in 1989, Nellie remained on the farm for over 20 years before making the difficult decision to move off the hill and onto Golden Lane. It was there that she lived out the rest of her years, making new friends, playing cards (enjoying winning on occasion), and growing a beautiful garden. Nellie was truly the heart and soul of her family and will be missed dearly by all those that loved her.

Although the farm and family kept Nellie busy, she also found time to be involved in so much more. She served the youth in the area by being the day camp director for the Girl Scout program, forming the area 4-H program where she helped leaders and teens with annual projects and attended the county and state fairs year after year, she was a Sunday School teacher at the First United Methodist Church of Newark Valley, where she was a lifelong member and church historian for years, and she also served on the school board for Newark Valley Schools. Nellie also volunteered countless hours with the Food Pantry, Salvation Army, East Newark Cemetery Association and Historical Society.

Nellie truly was one of the most wonderful women a person will ever know. She extended patience and understanding to all those she met. She touched so many lives with her sincere kindness and generous spirit. Nellie had great faith in the Lord and lived a life of love. And even through her gentleness she was always sure to keep us on our toes with her witty sense of humor and quick comebacks, especially when we least expected it. Nellies love and devotion for her family was unmatched. She leaves behind a legacy of happiness, compassion, selflessness and grace. Nellie is loved without end and she is missed beyond words. We will strive to be as kind as she showed us how to be.

Nellie is survived by her loving and devoted children, Dorene Hill (Dennis), Glenn (Mary) Snapp and Susan (Mike) DuBrava; her grandchildren who adored her, Amanda (George) Schumacher, Russell (Jessica) Reichert, Kristin (Ben) Hanggi, Mackenzie (Ian) Pewitt, Mary, Nathanael & Patrick Snapp, Hailey (Britton) Griffin; her cherished great-grandchildren, Allee & Talan Schumacher, Anthony & Brantlee Reichert, Kaelynn, Gideon & Caleb Hanggi and Cash Rayl; her sister and best-friend for life, Donna Comstock, honorary brother-in-law Kenny Scanlon and many caring nieces, nephews and friends.

Nellie is welcomed into heaven by her mother, Leatha Dickinson, her adoring husband who has been watching over her, Roger, her young daughter, Cindy Lou, her grandson Matthew Roger who loved her so deeply, her fun-loving son-in-law, George Hill and her close-knit group of sisters and a brother who she has missed so much, Helen Getzke, Danna Snyder, Sharon Dickinson and Clarence “Sonny” Dickinson.

The family would like to thank Lois Overacker and Nellie’s extended church family for all their love and support over the last few years. All your time is truly appreciated.

The family will receive friends at MacPherson Funeral Home, 5 Whig Street, Newark Valley on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 5 – 8 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Nellie’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Newark Valley on Wednesday, May 29. at 11am. Pastor Brandilynne Craver will officiate. Nellie will be laid to rest in the family plot in Hope Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared in Nellie’s guest book at macphersonfh.com.