Catherine Parker

Catherine L. (Snyder) Parker, 81

AMHERST - Catherine L. (Snyder) Parker, 81, passed away on November 21 surrounded by family following a brief illness. Cathy was born in Northampton, MA and was the loving wife of the Rev. John O. Parker, who predeceased her in 2006 after fifty years of marriage.

Cathy leaves behind her daughter Debra Orrell and her husband John Orrell, of Worcester, MA, her sons, Dr. Breck Parker and wife Heidi Parker of Saco, ME, and Wesley Parker and wife Kerri Parker, with whom she lived in Amherst, MA, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, her brother Dr. Richard Snyder of Tucson, AZ and many nieces and nephews. Also included as a cherished family member is Stacey Webster. Cathy is predeceased by her parents Grant and Ruth Snyder and her brother David Snyder.

Cathy and John lived in many locations while John was a Minister for the United Methodist Church including Woburn, Newburyport, Needham, Worcester, Holden, Bolton, Ct., Sudbury and Pittsfield before returning to Amherst while planning to spend retirement at their family home in Vershire, VT. Throughout the years, she was his devoted partner in support of John's ministry at every church he served.

Cathy graduated from North Amherst High School in 1956. She raised her family and then went on to receive a degree in Early Childhood Education from Quinsigamond Community College. She served as Nutritionist at Yours for Children, Inc. Auburn, MA for over 30 years. She was a home reviewer, serving many family child-care providers across the state and was editor of the Yours for Children, Inc. newsletter "What's Cookin'" for over 30 years. She was dedicated and devoted to child nutrition and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Cathy loved music and was a choir-member at Epworth United Methodist Church and Hadley Congregational Church. She was a volunteer at Rosie's Place in Boston and Honor Court in Worcester. Cathy enjoyed traveling and had recently traveled to Alaska, Iceland and Tucson, AZ. She was a member of Epworth UMC and Naomi Circle for 48 years. She enjoyed her friends at the Senior Center in Hadley.

Her most cherished times were when she was with family and her beloved dog Trinka at her home in Vershire, VT. Her family was her life and she cherished her time with them. She taught them empathy and love and to always care for one another. As she said in her final days, she was "full of love." A true mom, grandmother and great-grandmother, she loved to cook and watch movies with family. Her sense of humor was present until the very end. Her exceptionally warm and loving personality will be forever remembered and missed.

A celebration of Cathy's life with be held at 1PM on December 1 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 64 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01608. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Hadley Senior Center, 46 Middle Street, Hadley, MA 01002 or the Memorial Fund at Epworth UMC. The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Hospice of the Fisher Home, Amherst, MA for the compassion and love shown to Cathy in the final weeks of her life.