Gertrude Diana Hamilton Snyder

1928 - 2021

March 20, 1928 - January 18, 2021

Gertrude was born in Topeka, Kansas to Charles and Gertrude (Bodenheimer) Hamilton, the youngest of six children. Her family persevered through the great depression, having lost their farming livelihood during the dust bowl years. Living through those hard times gave Gertrude strength of character and a desire for a more prosperous life. After graduation from Highland Park High School in 1946, she attended Washburn University and married Richard Snyder the same year. They started their family with the birth of Susan (Shoshana)in 1948, followed by four children in nine years. For the next 23 years, Richard's army career led them to live in many parts of the US as well as Germany. While living in Massachusetts in the mid 1960's, Gertrude was able to finish her college degree and attain a teaching credential. In 1969, the family moved to the Presidio of Monterey,California. After divorcing in 1970, Gertrude remained on the Monterey Peninsula. She taught for 25 years at Fort Ord's Patton Elementary School. While at a local contra dance event she met the love of her life, the artist Robert Hewitt. For 20 years they enjoyed dancing, gardeningand life together in their little cottage on Anita Street. Robert passed away in 2010 and in 2012, Gertrude moved to Virginia where she resided with her daughter Martha until her death.

What most defined Gertrude was her lifelong love of music which she inherited from her father, a gifted "old time" fiddler. A piano always graced her home and she played the violin and viola as well. She had a beautiful singing voice and performed with the Monterey Peninsula Choral Society, Hidden Valley Opera Ensemble, and the Carmel Bach Festival as well as singing in school and church choirs throughout her life. After retirement, she gave piano lessons at home and taught beginning violin classes at a Salinas children's center. She passed on her love of music to all of her children and grandchildren,who remain indelibly grateful for this gift.

Gertrude is survived by her children: Shoshana Halle, Amy Betit (Joseph) Stephen Snyder (Susan), Martha Hamilton Snyder(Gary Ochsenbein), Sarah McCarter (Daniel), grandchildren: Lauren Griffin (Matt), Morgan Clark (Tim), Daniel Snyder (Diane), Sophia Hall-James (Damon), Aidan and Julia McCarter and 11 great grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her granddaughter Layla Halle.

No services are planned at this time. It was her wish to have her ashes interred near her parents at Rochester Cemetery in Topeka, KS which will occur at a later date.