Nancy L. "Nan" Snyder

Nancy "Nan" L. Snyder, 93, a resident of Saratoga Springs, NY, passed away peacefully at the Wesley Health Care Center on August 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Syracuse, NY, on May 20, 1932, she was the daughter of the late F. Brownell Tompkins and Alice L. Lombard Tompkins. Nan was raised with a deep love of learning, which would guide her through her life and career. After attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for two years, she transferred to Syracuse University, graduating with the Class of 1953. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Education from Syracuse, later furthering her studies with a degree in Elementary Education from Elmira College in 1973.

Nan devoted her professional life to shaping young minds. She taught at various schools throughout Central New York before joining the Union Springs Central School District, where she proudly served as a middle school math and science teacher from 1970 until her retirement in 1990. Her dedication, patience, and kindness left an enduring impact on countless students and colleagues.

On June 19, 1953, Nan married the love of her life, Charles Wendell Snyder. Together, they built a warm and loving home, and later joyfully adopted two beautiful daughters, Pamela Elizabeth and Sharyl Margery. Family was at the center of Nan's life, and she cherished her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Outside of her teaching career, Nan's creativity shone through in her many hobbies. She was a talented craftswoman and made beautiful stenciled, beaded and woven decorations and gifts. She also enjoyed refinishing antiques, giving new life to pieces of history. In her leisure time, she loved playing Mahjongg and bridge, and always the teacher, she taught many community friends how to play Mahjongg. She loved theater and classical music too. An avid traveler, Nan explored many corners of the world with friends Jane Sarcona and Peter Nachbur, and created detailed photo albums and journals of her memories and stories along the way.

Nan was predeceased by her brother, Robert Tompkins, and her sister, Mary Chappell. She is survived by her two daughters: Pamela Berry and her husband Thomas of Charlton, NY, and Sharyl Rock of Webster, NY; three grandchildren: Lindsey Rock, Sonata Wen, and Samuel Berry and his wife Ashley; her great-granddaughter, Alice E. Berry; and several nieces and nephews.

A private burial will take place in central New York at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Tunison Funeral Home, 105 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances and condolences may be shared at www.tunisonfuneralhome.com.

Nan will be remembered for her warmth, her intelligence, her creativity, and her unwavering love for her family and many friends. Her life was one of dedication, joy, and generosity, and her memory will be treasured always.