Eva Maria Köhler Snyder

Eva Maria Köhler Snyder

FULTON – Eva Maria Köhler Snyder of Fulton, NY joined many loved ones in Heaven on February 2nd.

She was born March 4, 1935, in Magdeburg, Germany to Frieda & Kuno.  She lived an amazing life and witnessed, as well as participated in history.  She saw Hitler in a parade in 1939 but was too young to understand the cheering crowds.  Surviving WWII with her family, they sought refuge in bomb shelters until her home was destroyed and they moved to Weddersleben.  There her family experienced occupation by American soldiers followed by Russian Soldiers in 1945 when her part of Germany came under Soviet rule. In August 1951, Eva and her college classmates were required to attend the World Festival of Youth in Berlin.  Khrushchev shook her hand because her group was in the front row as he came through.  In June 1953, she joined in the nationwide Uprising against communism.  She continued to join protests, eventually being placed on a list for pickup.  To avoid imprisonment, Eva escaped to West Germany leaving her family behind.  She settled in Augsburg and began work as a nanny for an American Captain’s family.  On December 16, 1956, she met her soulmate, a young American Paratrooper, Arthur “Duke” Snyder.  They married on February 5, 1958, in Stadtbergen.  On July 25, 1958, Eva came to America with her new husband and settled in Troy, NY.  There would be several more moves before they finally resided in Fulton.

     In 1991, a couple of years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Eva traveled to the now-reunited Germany to see her brother and meet his family for the first time in 36 years.  This was something she had prayed for since her escape!

     Before Eva left East Germany, she earned a degree in Accounting and Horticulture. She worked as a nanny and bookkeeper in Augsburg, a sales clerk at Britts Department Store in Gloversville, NY, a cashier for Mirabitos Super Market in Fulton, NY, and was an Assistant to the VP at Fulton Savings Bank from where she retired but maintained several treasured friendships.

     With 7 children and working through the years, Eva often found time to volunteer at the library of her children’s school, helping with church bingo, and serving with the Altar Rosary and Mary & Martha Societies.

     Eva was a tremendous baker and chef, enjoying trying new recipes.  Family and friends especially enjoyed her cinnamon rolls, flakey cookies, German chocolate cake, and German potato salad.  She also was an avid flower and vegetable gardener and enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and sewing.  She had a passion for little and big adventures, especially all her trips back to Germany.

     Being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother has brought her tremendous joy in life along with her fervent faith in God.  For many years, she enjoyed Bible Study with her closest friends from Holy Family Church.  In her last hours, she spoke in English and German of God, Love, and Heaven.

     Besides her parents and husband, Eva was predeceased by her youngest daughter, Lisa, her brother, Jochen Köhler, and her grandson, Zachary Snyder.  She is survived by her children Michael (Diane) Snyder of Richmond, VA. Catherine Snyder of Troy, NY & Fulton, Maria (Richard) Treharne of Cinnaminson, NJ, Patricia (Rafeek) Khachikian of Canyon Country, CA, Arthur (Lily) Snyder of Temple, Georgia, and Matthew (Jody) Snyder of Phoenix, NY.  She is also survived by 13 Grandchildren, 16 Great-Grandchildren, and many other family members both here and in Germany.

     Eva was a tremendous presence in all our lives.  She will be so missed but touched our hearts forever.

     Thank you to all the wonderful and caring staff at the Emergency Room of St. Joseph’s Health Hospital in Syracuse who tended to Eva, bringing comfort to her and her family.

     A funeral service will be held at Sugar Funeral Home, 224 West 2nd Street South in Fulton NY, on Thursday, February 6th.  Calling hours are 11:30-12:30 with a service immediately following.

In place of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Eva’s memory.  She donated monthly to St. Jude’s for almost 50 years.  https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now

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