Obituary of Nadine E. Snyder

Nadine Eva Snyder (nee Muzyka) August 29, 1925 – January 25, 2017 In the 91 years between her birth in Ukraine and her passing January 25 in Wainwright, Nadine Eva Snyder lived a full and active life. Mom, Baba, and Granny to us and our kids and her grandkids, a loving wife to Herb, her husband of 61 years, she was "Nade" to all her friends from her church, golfing, curling, and bowling, and community activities. Mom was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Maria Muzyka; her aunts Teklia Styranka and Anna Cyncar; her uncle, Mykhailo Styranka; her sister, Gloria (Homer) McIntosh; and her beloved husband, Herbert Snyder. She is survived by one son, Gordon (Cesar Guimbatan) Snyder, and one daughter, Jean (Colin) Bamsey; two granddaughters, Nikko (Jeremy Sauer) Snyder, and Sara (Mike) Wengryn; and one grandson, Matt Bamsey. She had three great-children: Nikko and Jeremy's son, Asher Snyder, and Sara and Mike's daughter, Katie, and son, Zach. Mom was born in 1925 in her parents' home village of Czabariwka, near Husiatyn, in Ukraine. Her father, Theodor (Fred) Muzyka, immigrated to Canada in 1926, followed in 1928 by his wife, Maria, and their two small daughters, Gloria and Nadine. Mom's earliest memories were from the ten-day voyage from Danzig, Poland, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. She remembered getting oranges from the nurses, and dancing to entertain the other passengers on the ship. Her mom and sister, she said, were too seasick to appreciate the oranges. The family made their new home in Vegreville, where they had many friends, including Fred's longtime business partner, Oscar Tunis, and his family. Mom’s dear friend, Lena Tunis Kramer, resides in Vancouver and always stayed in touch. Other relatives include: Gloria's daughter, Mary Lynne Hamilton; her son, Rick (Marianne) McIntosh, and their son and daughter, Jeff and Karen; Fred's nephew, Orest Cyncar, his wife Nadia, and their daughters Markiana (Gerry) Hryschuk and Olesia (Lorne) Toumine, and their son, Marko Cyncar. Mom met our dad, Herbert Snyder, while she was rooming with his sister, Bea, at university in Edmonton. Dad was smitten at first glance, but Mom remembered being a little less enthusiastic--until Dad shaved off his waxed and curled, carrot-orange moustache. They were married in 1947 in the first English ceremony held in the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Vegreville, and moved to Dad's hometown of Wainwright. They were happily married for 61 years. They spent a lot of time at the beloved cabin at Clear Lake but Mom was also very outgoing and loved to golf, curl and bowl--she won many awards and trophies over the years, and was especially proud of hitting a hole in one. Mom relished competition, built strong friendships, and enjoyed her life and her family. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to Shannon Pugh and all of Mom's caregivers at Points West Living. You were Mom's angels. Cremation has taken place and a memorial gathering and celebration of Mom's life will be held Thursday, May 18, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at Grace United Church with Pastor Dan Marchuk officiating. Interment will follw at Wainwright Cemetery. In lieu of tributes, we ask that you make donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or your local library.