Holly Cynthia Snyder

Holly Cynthia Snyder (nee Irwin) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the age of 88. Born in Brooklyn, New York on February 24, 1937, she and her family lived in Brooklyn and on Long Island in Roosevelt before relocating to Chatham, New Jersey when she was in middle school. A 1955 graduate of Chatham High School, Holly went on to become a professional model, modeling haute couture clothing on Fashion Avenue (7th Avenue in New York City's Garment District). On September 11, 1960, she married Jay Snyder, the love of her life, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chatham, and the following year they welcomed their only child, Elizabeth. Holly was a very artistic and creative soul. She loved to paint, draw, embroider, sew, knit - you name it, she could do it! Her home was filled with so many things she had created: framed embroidery as well as acrylic paintings; handmade Christmas ornaments; embroidered decorative bell pulls; wreaths for the front door; and so much more! She spent many years working on Main Street, Chatham at both The Yarn Yard and, later, when the store changed ownership and its name, at The Stitching Bea, helping customers, managing store operations, and teaching embroidery classes. Several of her embroidered works were selected and exhibited in juried shows, and she was awarded ribbons for them. Holly also served as a past president of the Chatham Republican Club and as Co-Assistant Treasurer for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s Sunday School. In 1998, Holly and Jay retired to Sun City Hilton Head in Bluffton, South Carolina to begin a new chapter in their lives. Not only did they make new friends and enjoy many social functions over the years, but together they volunteered as team members with Habitat For Humanity to help build a house for a family in need. Holly also enjoyed gardening and farmed one of the many small plots of land in Sun City’s community garden area, harvesting vegetables which she shared with neighbors and friends. Holly was proceeded in death by her parents, Helen and John Irwin, and her sister Joan Smith. She is survived by Jay Snyder, her husband of 64 years, her daughter Elizabeth Jordan, her grandchildren Ian Jordan and Megan Jordan, her sister Pamela Moore, and many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends! In lieu of flowers, Holly’s family requests that any and all donations be made directly to The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/donate). A memorial service for Holly will be held in Bluffton at a later date.

Alzheimer's Association
Web: https://www.alz.org/donate